On December 1 people around will once again celebrate World AIDS Day — South Florida is no exception with multiple events planned for the week.

WAD raises international awareness of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. This year’s theme is “Focus, Partner, Achieve: An AIDS-free Generation.” The day is also used to show support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died.

WAD was the first ever global health day and the first one was held in 1988. There are many events commemorating WAD across South Florida. Below is a listing of a few of them.

Sunday, November 30 – World AIDS Day Vigil

Broward House, South Florida’s oldest and largest HIV/AIDS community service organization has announced the plans for their 2013 candlelight walk, vigil, rally & concert to commemorate this year’s World AIDS Day.

• Step Off: 7:30pm at Hagen Park, 2020 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL
• Rally: 2040 North Dixie Hwy, Wilton Manors, FL
• Special Appearances By: Lorrie Cram, Mayor Gary Resnick, The AIDS Memorial Quilt

Monday, December 1

• The public is invited to Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. for a World AIDS Day Community Event titled “It takes a Village to Stop HIV: World AIDS Day Community Cookout.” This family friendly event will include guest speakers, youth performances, quilt displays, HIV testing and education, and free food.

To commemorate World AIDS Day, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) will host free HIV tests complete with games and giveaways at its “Out of the Closet” Thrift Stores throughout South Florida from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Out of The Closet has the following locations in South Florida:

• Lauderdale Out of the Closet
  1785 E. Sunrise Blvd.
  Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
• Miami Out of the Closet
  2900 Biscayne Blvd.,
  Miami, FL 33137
• South Beach Out of the Closet
  1510 Alton Road
  Miami Beach, FL 33139
• Wilton Manors Out of the Closet
  2097 Wilton Manor Drive
  Wilton Manor, FL 33305

November 19-December 3

In recognition of World AIDS Day, Compass displays the largest collection of the AIDS Memorial Quilt in Florida. Each year, a ceremony is hosted on December 1, which includes the quilt display, a candle light vigil, induction, and a special performance by the Voices of Pride. Compass will host two weeks worth of events for World AIDS Day. In an effort to work closer with national and local initiatives to provide Palm Beach County with resources, Compass’ World AIDS Day promotes awareness about HIV and how to love a stronger and healthier life.  The AIDS Memorial Quilt, founded in 1987, is the largest piece of community folk art in the world, a 54-ton collage affixed with the names of over 91,000 victims of AIDS.

For more information visit www.CompassGLCC.com.