Frank's organization, the State College Area High School Thespians, was the leading non-greek organization and raised a total of $1,668.98.

Executive Director of the AIDS Project Becky Schrope said the money raised also helps to provide care for people infected with HIV as well as education and tools for safe sex, such as condoms and free, anonymous HIV testing.

"We used to receive a lot more funding from the government -- now most of it has to come through fund raising," she said. "We are thankful the community and Penn State are so helpful with raising money."

The Penn State greek community showed its support for the walk, which was also the final event of Greek Week 2005, by raising $10,077 -- the most money raised by any other organization.

"We have participated in the AIDS Walk since the beginning," said Jane Neitz, assistant director of fraternity and sorority life. "It is a great partnership, and it really gets everyone out walking and donating money."

Donning matching shirts, about 43 members of Theta Kappa Pi sorority showed up in Central Parklet wearing walking shoes and gym shorts to raise money for AIDS.

"Year after year we have the best participation at this event. It's our time to shine," Theta Kappa Pi's Greek Week chair Devon Kolynych (sophomore-nutrition) said.

Maggie Shellenberger, a 2004 Penn State graduate, had a hairy walking partner for the event -- Troubles, her Maltese dog.

"A bunch of the Corner Room employees decided to help the cause and bring our dogs along as well," she said.

Holding posters with facts such as, "In the next 15 minutes, 82 people will die from AIDS," nine members of the Global AIDS initiative at Penn State also walked in yesterday's event.

"The club has been around for only two years, but we've been involved in it both years," President Beth Hardy (junior-economics) said. "We asked for people to pledge us and we made our own donations. It is a great way to bring the community come together."