PHOENIX -- Today's 5K AIDS Walk in downtown Phoenix drew 5,000 people raising funds for 16 local organizations that provide direct services to people living with HIV/AIDS and their families.

"Once all the pledges are in, we hope to have between $150,000 and $200,000 to distribute evenly among the 16 service providers," said AIDS Walk 2008 co-chair Kirk Baxter.

Local agencies benefiting from the AIDS Walk are: AGAPE Network, AIDS Network of Arizona, Bill Holt Clinic at Phoenix Children's Hospital, Chicanos Por la Causa, Compassion in Action, Concilio Latino de Salud, Ebony House, HIV Care Directions, Joshua Tree Feeding Program, Inc., Native American Community Health Center, Phoenix Shanti Group, Project Hard Hat, Southwest Behavioral Health, Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS and TERROS, Inc.

The event started at 8:30 a.m. at Phoenix City Hall, 200 W. Washington St.

"The lack of HIV awareness in our community is causing the local HIV infection rate to rise dramatically, especially in communities of color, said John Sapero, co-chair of the event. "More people need care than ever before, but federal and private funding for HIV services is remaining level or decreasing."

Baxter and Sapero co-chaired the event with support from an 11-member steering committee.

Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon said he was thankful to the organizers, sponsors and volunteers for this year's AIDS Walk. "This is a volunteer-driven event that generates hope, help and assistance for local residents and non-profit organizations," Gordon said.

"Our vision is to rebuild the AIDS Walk to the same financial level it was at its peak when more than $1 million was raised for the Valley's service providers," Sapero said. "This is a tremendous start in achieving that goal."