Happy New Year! We are excited to unveil a completely revised schedule of special events for 2011. Long-time ARCS supporters may have noticed that ARCS did not hold its annual Hudson Valley AIDS Walk this fall; instead, we’re bringing you a variety of smaller events for the remainder of this year.

A Fresh Step for the AIDS Walk
ARCS’ signature community event, the Hudson Valley AIDS Walk, has been moved to the springtime! The next Walk is scheduled for Saturday, May 7, 2011 along the Walkway Over the Hudson in Poughkeepsie—or Highland. (Actually, it’s both, since the Walkway connects Dutchess and Ulster counties, symbolizing what we do here at ARCS.) The newly-revised AIDS Walk will feature a variety of walk routes for those looking for more of a challenge, plus a special ceremony at the Walkway’s center. A volunteer organizing committee is already hard at work on plans (in addition to creating our Halloween Spooktacular as a fill-in for this fall). Keep your eyes and ears open for more details on the new Hudson Valley AIDS Walk!

Raise Your Fork, Raise Funds for ARCS
We’re also thrilled to announce that ARCS will be participating once again in Dining Out for Life, an international HIV/AIDS fundraising event on Thursday, April 28, 2011. Restaurants in Dutchess, Orange, and Ulster counties will be donating 25% to 50% of your meal costs to ARCS, so the more diners they have (and the more you eat and drink), the more funds we raise! Ambassadors will be on hand in each participating restaurant to inform diners about ARCS’ services and to sign you up for special raffles and prize giveaways! Dining Out for Life is sponsored by Subaru of the Mid-Hudson in Wappingers Falls, Dutchess County Tourism, and BigGayHudsonValley.com. Mark your calendars now and get ready to dine for life!

Charity Ball Moves to the Fall
Our final switch-up involves our long-running Charity Ball, formerly the “Hearts for ARCS” Valentine’s Ball. With such a heavy spring line-up, we’ve moved our annual gala to harvest time instead. Get ready to dance, dine and bid on fine auction items on November 5, 2011—and we’re moving to a new location too! The next Charity Ball will be held at Whitby Castle in Rye, a fairytale castle on Long Island Sound. This elegant event will still feature our silent auction, energetic dancing, live entertainment, delicious cuisine and our honorary award ceremony.

Get involved! Each of these three special events requires months of planning by a team of volunteers. Join one of our organizing committees by contacting J. Dewey at (914) 785-8326 or jdewey@arcs.org.