In honor of World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, Chicagoans gathered in Lakeview for a candle light vigil that included a peaceful walk outside on the ice-covered sidewalk along North Halsted Street.
About 30 people came to the service that started inside Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted. The annual vigil is a 'simple way to remember' those living with HIV and AIDS and those who have passed due to the disease, said organizer Robert Hadley, founder and director of Caritas Chicago, a treatment facility for substance abusers.
Hadley welcomed the crowd before handing the microphone to speaker Jeremy Butts who was diagnosed with the disease in 2003. Butts talked about all the advocacy groups here in Chicago saying he was 'blessed' by all the support he has received. He also urged others to take advantage of the help offered in the city and to also lend a hand by volunteering at HIV/AIDS organizations.
The candlelight walk began at 7:30 p.m. and ended at the Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted. Participants held their lit candles and they trekked almost half a mile in the 20-degree weather as snow flurries fell.
This is the first year the event also had the walk, said Hadley. Even though the vigil is not a religious ceremony, in previous years it has been held at churches. Since this year it was held at a bar, the walk along Halsted Street gave those under 21 years old a chance to participate, said Hadley.
This was the second year in a row Lance Tines, 44, of Rogers Park, has attended the vigil. Tines said he has been helping people with AIDS for a long time and has lost friends to the disease.
'It is important for me to do something to commemorate them on World AIDS Day,' Tines said.