DeKALB | The Zeta Phi Beta sorority held its ninth annual AIDS walk on Sunday.

About 100 people participated in the five-mile fundraising walk, which originated at the Center for Black Studies on West Lincoln Highway.

“The general point is to raise awareness,” said sorority representative and senior kinesiology major Neecy Roney.

Donations were taken and will be sent to the Chicago House, which has supported men, women and children affected by the illness since 1985.

Though the sun refused to shine throughout the first few miles of the walk, conditions improved by the home stretch as both beautiful weather and smiling faces were in abundance.

At the conclusion of the five-mile expedition, which took students on a lengthy tour of the campus, a traditional soul food dinner was served, complete with fried chicken, beans, mashed potatoes and desserts. A disc jockey was there and helped liven the feast.

“The theme for our AIDS walk is ‘reach one, teach one,'” Roney said. “And if we could just reach at least one person and teach them something new, then we know we’ve done our job.”

Derek Walker is a Campus Reporter for the Northern Star.