Organizers of the annual AIDS Walk For Life will make the rounds in city schools during the coming weeks to promote the event and educate students about the dangers of HIV.

“It’s huge. It’s huge that they (the school district) are going to support us,” Kira Gosselin, youth health educator and event co-ordinator for the ASK Wellness Centre, said Thursday.

The walk, which takes place Sept. 18, is a major fundraiser for the AIDS Society of Kamloops, which operates the ASK Wellness Centre.

Gosselin approached school trustees in the spring about asking students to help raise money for and encourage community involvement in the walk.

The school district notified her Thursday that information packages will be sent to schools. It’s up to individual schools to decide if they will support the Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life.

Gosselin hopes to promote safe sex and convince leagues of youths to engage in conversations about HIV. She said half of new HIV infections occur in young people aged 15 to 25.

“I hope it gets conversations happening in every single household,” said Gosselin.

The plan is to entice more people to participate in the walk. Individuals and groups who raise the most money will receive prizes based on categories for youth, adults, families, teams, small businesses and singer/songwriter. Restaurants Frick ‘n Frack and Hello Toast, Andrena’s Books and Nature’s Fare, among others, have donated prizes.

To make a donation or sign up as a team, band or business, go online to www.aidswalkforlife.ca.

Gosselin has recruited musicians One South, Niki Cole and Trevor Lorence to perform at the event, which begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Farmers Market downtown.

The walk itself begins at 10:15 a.m. and the barbecue and entertainment runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Gosselin hopes people will wear red and white and bring noisemakers to show their community spirit. She said there will be prizes for best costume, stroller, dog on a leash and family spirit.

For more information, phone Gosselin at 250-376-7558.