Members of the Delta Upsilon fraternity, 117 Ash Ave., are gearing up for a serious philanthropic event.

House philanthropy chairman Chris Weipert, senior in marketing, said the fraternity wanted to do something a little more serious with their AIDS philanthropy this year.

The fraternity will sponsor an AIDS Walk today at 4:30 p.m. in front of Beardshear Hall on central campus. Walkers will hear two speakers at Beardshear, then travel up Welch Avenue to Towers and back down Ash Avenue, where they will hear a final speaker.

Weipert said the walk is an opportunity for individuals to show their support for AIDS awareness.

“It’s something people on campus should think about because it’s a lot more prevalent than people realize,” Weipert said.

He said the idea to organize the walk came from a former fraternity member and from speakers at the fraternity house, including Pam Carnine of the Story County AIDS Coalition, who helped organize the walk.

“HIV and AIDS is part of [the fraternity’s] philanthropy,” Carnine said. “They came to me and I offered a few suggestions, but [Delta Upsilon members] really took the bull by the horns. They are very committed to this program of raising awareness.”

Weipert said Carnine helped the fraternity line up the AIDS Walk speakers, which include a Story County father living with AIDS, a Polk County female AIDS patient and Carnine.

Weipert said money raised will be donated to the Story County AIDS Coalition. The fraternity attained sponsorship from various local businesses, but Weipert said he is still looking for more donations.

“We are a little behind, but we’re talking to a lot of businesses, so we might actually end up getting some sponsorship after the walk,” Weipert said.

Weipert said individuals interested in attending the walk may bring donations for the AIDS Coalition today, but people are not required to make donations to participate. Both Weipert and Carnine said the goal is to get walkers out showing their support.

“It’s something students can do for each other,” Carnine said. “[A large turnout] helps to make the walk more visible.”

Carnine said the cause should continue to be visible to the community because there is a common misconception that the advances in AIDS research have resulted in less need for awareness activities.

The AIDS Walk is a good awareness activity for students, Carnine said.

“When a group like Delta Upsilon takes on something like this, the message is greater,” Carnine said. “Messages are always more powerful when they are coming from your peers.”

Any interested person may participate in the walk by meeting in front of Beardshear Hall Friday at 4:30 p.m.