AIDS Walk San Francisco: Why I Walk

Time and again Levi Strauss & Co. has shown how it comes together for communities that need support – even if it means putting our feet to the street.
That’s why, on Sunday, employees will once again be participating in AIDS Walk San Francisco in Golden Gate Park. This will mark the 29th year that our company has taken part in this worthy cause, raising money and awareness to help prevent, treat and eradicate this disease once and for all.
These employees shed light on why they walk:

Ezra Price, Assistant Store Manager, Levi’s Store, Levi’s Plaza
What’s your role, and how long have you been with LS&Co.?
I am the assistant store manager at our Plaza store, and I’ve been with LS&Co. for about five years.
Tell us a little bit about how you like to give back to the community, and why HIV/AIDS is an important issue to you.
I participate yearly in Dining Out for Life, I run to support the company’s Red Tab Foundation and I walk to fight HIV/AIDS. We all have friends and loved ones who’ve been affected; my community and friends are affected. We’re so lucky to be employed by a company that cares so much about our well-being, not everyone has that, and that’s why I stand with LS&Co. to fight HIV/AIDS.

Richard Gomes, Director of Retail Communications and Training
What’s your role, and how long have you been with LS&Co.?
I am the director of Retail Communications and Training. My team is responsible for all of the communication that goes out to our store teams throughout the Americas as well as all levels of training for store employees. I am coming up on seven years with LS&Co. this fall.
Tell us a little bit about how you like to give back to the community, and why HIV/AIDS is an important issue to you.
I participated in my first AIDS Walk when I lived in Los Angeles after college. Since then, I’ve made it a mission to walk every year. (The only years I’ve missed are when I had to travel for work.) Growing up in a small town, my knowledge of HIV/AIDS was limited to what I saw on TV. After moving to L.A. and then San Francisco, I learned so much more about HIV/AIDS and the impact it has on the community. I’ve made a personal commitment to keep walking until this epidemic is truly over — not just because I have loved ones who have been personally impacted, but because it’s the right thing to do. I’m also really proud of the attention our company gives to the cause.
What do you like most about your job?
There’s never a dull moment in retail. Truly you never know what each day is going to bring. I also like feeling like we are truly making an impact. Through the different initiatives our team owns, we are able to influence, motivate and inspire thousands of employees on a daily basis.

Lorie Larsen, Senior Manager, Human Resources
What’s your role, and how long have you been with LS&Co.?
I am the senior manager of our HR Wellness Program and also manage additional benefit programs. I have been with the company for 15 years.
Tell us a little bit about how you like to give back to the community, and why HIV/AIDS is an important issue to you.
I am committed to fundraising for, and raising awareness of, HIV/AIDS by consistently participating in the S.F. AIDS Walk. (This is my 16th consecutive year of walking.) As a Bay Area native, I feel an affinity to the HIV/AIDS cause and a desire to walk for all who need assistance until the need is no longer. I believe we are lucky to work at a company where giving back and supporting important causes are embedded in our core values.
Want to get involved?
Support Ezra, Richard and Lori now.