Merrick’s AIDS Walker gears up for another year

Posted

The second-highest fundraiser in AIDS Walk New York history is a fixture of Merrick life, and she is asking for the community’s support as she gears up for her 31st year of walking in memory of her best friend.

Francine Goldstein has walked and collected donations from virtually anyone in her orbit to ensure that she never has to see another person suffer the way her best friend did when she died of AIDS in 1988. Goldstein, 72, is one of the most productive fundraisers for the Gay Men’s Health Crisis — the only organization that was willing to step up, with legal services and affordable medication, for her friend in her time of need.

She was also 2018’s Person of the Year in the Merrick Herald.

“People say, ‘Francine, after 30 years, why are you still walking?’” Goldstein said in her POTY interview. “It’s because I meet people, and they think that the crisis is over.”

Last year, Goldstein raised more than $47,000, bringing her lifetime fundraising total to over $600,000.00.

“I may ask for your contribution, but it is the people who contribute who are the real heroes in this story,” Goldstein said. “Your generosity will help provide necessary services to more than 13,000 clients and their families living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.”

Here are a few examples of what donations will provide for GMHC:

$25: 2 HIV tests so that more people know their status and are linked with care

$50: 2 weeks worth of groceries for a family affected with HIV

$100: 80 safer sex kits to stop the spread of HIV

$500: 125 hot healthy meals served at GMHC for people living with HIV

Goldstein will walk again on May 19.

To securely donate online, click on the link to Goldstein;s personal donation page here: https://ny.aidswalk.net/FrancineGoldstein

If you wish to donate by check, please make the check payable to "AIDS Walk NY,” and mail to:

Francine Goldstein

1407 Chapin Ave.

Merrick, NY 11566-1940