Lisa Walters honors top fundraisers at historic Los Angeles AIDS Walk

The Los Angeles City Council convened on March 17, 2000, to honor the remarkable achievements of individuals and teams participating in the annual AIDS Walk. The meeting began with a heartfelt acknowledgment of the event's success, which saw tens of thousands of Angelenos walking to support victims of HIV and AIDS, raising over $2.6 million to combat the disease.

Lisa Walters led the ceremony, introducing the recipients of various awards for their outstanding contributions to the cause. Among the honorees were exceptional volunteers who dedicated their time and effort to ensure the success of the AIDS Walk. Notable volunteers recognized included Elaine Abraham, Pearl Frankel, Bob Messner, Thomas Stratton, and Tony Stumpf.

The highlight of the awards was the presentation of the top fundraising walker, Cynthia Park, who set a new record by raising nearly $58,000. Over the past six years, Park has raised close to a quarter of a million dollars for AIDS Project Los Angeles, showcasing her commitment to the cause.

The council also recognized the top fundraising teams. The award for the top friends and family team went to "In Memory of Clay Howell," which raised over $32,000 with just 29 members. The small business team award was presented to Salon Paul Florent for raising nearly $7,000.

In a competitive spirit, the fifth place fundraising team, Team Warner, raised $41,874, followed by the City of Los Angeles employees in fourth place with $43,663. The County of Los Angeles employees secured third place with $48,924, while the Disney volunteers took second place with $53,885. The top fundraising team, DreamWorks SKG, raised an impressive $91,386, continuing their legacy as the leading team since the company's inception.

Following the awards, the council moved to official business, with a roll call confirming a quorum for the meeting. The session was broadcasted on channel 35, allowing the community to engage with the proceedings.

Overall, the meeting underscored the collective effort and dedication of the Los Angeles community in the fight against HIV and AIDS, celebrating both individual and team achievements in fundraising and awareness.