Hundreds of people strolled in support of funding for HIV/AIDS programs during the Desert AIDS Project's 22nd annual AIDS Walk Saturday morning.

More than 850 people participated in the two-mile walk from Ruth Hardy Park, around the Movie Colony neighborhood and back to the park, according to Barry Dayton, a spokesman for the Desert AIDS Project, 1695 N. Sunrise Way, in Palm Springs.

“This event is important not only for the funds that it raises, but for people to see the critical mass of people that support HIV/AIDS services,” he said Saturday.

The Desert AIDS Project aims to raise $325,000 from the walk to replace money that the organization lost this year due to state budget cuts, Dayton said.

About $75,000 is needed to purchase HIV-test kits so that 5,000 people can get tested this year.

The rest of the proceeds will go to the Desert AIDS Project's general operating funds, Dayton said.

Newcomers to this year's walk included members of the Lighthouses of the Valley, which brought at least 25 people from six valley churches.

“We are the kind of Christians that do what Jesus wanted to do and reach out to people in need, like those impacted by AIDS,” said Mark Farison, 42, a member of the Northgate Community Church in Cathedral City.

Some came in costume, since the walk occurred on Halloween.

Brooke Jordan, 17, of Palm Desert, dressed as a pirate-vampire for her second year in the AIDS walk.

“It is a quickly growing problem, and the more people show their support in a real public way, the more people will realize how big the issue is,” the La Quinta high school senior said.

There were a variety of costumed walkers, including the “big walking purple grape,” Jordan said.

That was 58-year-old Palm Springs resident Andy Brown, who has participated in the Desert AIDS Walk twice before.

Brown said he has attended the funerals of four friends who died from AIDS-related complications in the 1990s.

He was amazed at the walk's turnout.

“I have never seen so many people here,” he said. “I am thrilled, just thrilled.”