Colleen Weiler of Corvallis will lead a one-mile walk through downtown Corvallis on Monday to raise awareness of AIDS and poverty issues in Africa.

Participants will be encouraged to take the walk barefoot, although it won’t be required.

Monday is World AIDS Day, hence the walk, which is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. outside Block 15 Restaurant and Brewery, at the corner of Third Street and Jefferson Avenue in downtown Corvallis.

The walk is sponsored by a group called Take the Walk, which was started by the rock band Hanson. The band will not be attending the local event, which will be led by Weiler. Weiler said she expected at least 10 people to participate in the event. People still are welcome to join the walk and can register at the site on Monday.

For every registered walker, Take the Walk will donate $1 to one of five AIDS-related causes of the walker’s choice.

The reason some of the walkers will be barefoot is to remind participants and observers of the hardships facing people who live in extreme poverty. For information, see the Web site takethewalk.net or call Weiler at 810-813-1643.