Last year, Tekserve walked to help raise money and awareness to fight HIV & AIDS. On May 20th, our staff will be joining 45,000 other sneaker-wearing do-gooders at this year’s AIDSWalk NYC. AIDSWalk is an annual fundraising event held in Central Park to benefit GMHC and 40 other local AIDS Service Organizations.

I spoke to Tekserve employee and AIDSWalk participant, Rodrigo Salazar, about this year’s walk and why he finds this event so special.

Had you heard about the walk or GMHC before you started participating?
Yes, I had. I had donated money too, but I had never gotten involved.

There are several thousand people walking that day. Do you have a strategy to deal with crowds?
Just be yourself and walk. This walk is for everyone. It is easy and the feeling is great. Enjoy Central Park. Talk to other participants – all the people walking are having a good time. Wear comfortable shoes!

You are hosting a fundraiser. Tell us about it.
On May 18th, I’m hosting a fundraiser at Hombres, a gay bar in Jackson Heights, Queens. I talked to the manager of the bar and he was happy to help a good cause.

Photo by Rodrigo Salazar

You are also selling your pictures online to raise money. How does it work and where can we go to see them?
I don’t feel comfortable asking people for money, but one of my hobbies is taking photos in New York City, so I decided to give a ready-to-be-framed 14×11 print to those who donate $25.00. I have pictures on my Facebook page under my “AIDSWalk New York” folder.

(After making your donation, send Rodrigo a Facebook message with your requested photo)

Tekserve has a long history of giving to charities. Do you feel like that has influenced you?
Of course it has! Since I started working at Tekserve, David Lerner and Dick Demenus (Tekserve’s owners) not only gave, but also encouraged everyone to give to charities of our choice, and now Kevin Hart (our new CEO) is encouraging us to do the same. I am very grateful for it.

Why do you think it is important to give to this cause?
More than 18,000 people with AIDS die each year in the United States alone. By giving to this cause, we are helping to reduce this number.

Everyone has lost someone to AIDS. AIDS kills young people, elderly people, men, women, fathers and mothers… anyone you may know.

What is your favorite thing about the day?
Having a great day with Tekserve and leaving with a smile to do the things that I like: taking pictures and thinking of better world without AIDS. Act today. Please donate!

So there you have it. Thanks Rodrigo!

If you’d like to attend Rodrigo’s fundraiser, Hombres is located at 85-28 37th Ave, Jackson Heights, Queens. Visit hombreslounge.com for more information.

Additionally, you can sponsor Rodrigo or the Tekserve Lions in this year’s AIDSWalk.