Michael's Blog

AIDS WALK Kick-off is here!

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 17:39:00 GMT

Friends,

This posting is short and sweet--we need YOU tonight at the AIDS WALK Kickoff Party at the ultra hip Studio Dan Meiners! It's going to be a great evening of fun as Ron Megee, Missy Koonce and musical director Anthony Edwards have a great program put together for you!

Please stop by anytime between 5:30 and 7:30 pm, grab a snack and drink and help us officially kick off this 25th year of fighting HIV/AIDS in Kansas City.

Hope to see you tonight!

Michael Lintecum, Event Director

Help us kick off the 25th year!

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Friends,

I hope you'll join the entire AIDS WALK Family tomorrow night--Thursday, December 6th, 8 pm at the Folly Theater as we officially kick off the 25th annual AIDS WALK Kansas City. Spencer Brown, (a.k.a. Daisy Bucket of Team Bucket) joins The Kinsey Sicks as Trampolina in the hilarious irreverent holiday show "Oy Vey in a Manger". As many of you know Spencer has raised thousands of dollars for AIDS WALK over the years...and just recently in 2012 his team raised over $30,000 for the local fight against HIV/AIDS. Please join us in recognizing his efforts and to raise much needed funds for those living with HIV/AIDS in Kansas City.

The show promises to be a lot of fun and I have heard from others that have seen the show that you will not stop laughing for days! You can get tickets online through Ticket Master here or if you call the Folly Box Office at (816) 474-4444 you may be able to get discount tickets by using the code word "RED".

I look forward to seeing you tomorrow night at The Folly Theater as we kick off this 25th year!

Michael Lintecum, Event Director

AIDS WALK week is here!

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The big week is upon us! It has been such a great campaign to date this year. Thank you to each and every one of you who have been doing so much to ensure this year’s AIDS WALK supersedes our wildest expectations! I have no idea how many Team parties were held this past weekend but I do know the ones I attended were grand, fun and greatly successful! Thanks to all of our fabulous Team Captains who have been encouraging and motivating their team members to go the extra mile...it truly makes a difference and the winners are those brave men, women and youth who depend on the services and programs provided by our local HIV/AIDS service organizations.

The AIDS WALK Steering Committee joins me in thanking for all you are doing this week as we come into the home stretch! See you Saturday as we hit the streets of Kansas City reminding our town that we care, that the cause goes on and we all look forward to the day when this event is no longer necessary. But until then, we will continue to care, hope and WALK!

Michael Lintecum, Event Director

AIDS WALK events everywhere!

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 05:00:00 GMT

We are all in full gear preparing for AIDS WALK...so many people are doing so much all over town! Team Captains Terry Bax, Spencer Brown and Terri Goddard all held fundraising events for their team efforts last weekend. This weekend Team Captains Ryan Gove & Doug Swink are hosting a Cupcake and Wine party for their team efforts.

Don’t forget, this FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 5 to 8 pm in the Crossroads, the 14^th annual Mosaic will be presented by AIDS WALK Kansas City. Join us for a First Friday gallery opening and view a collection of over 1,000 glazed ceramic tiles and bowls created by local youth, artists and volunteers at the Art Lobby of the Chair Building, 2020 Baltimore, KCMO. Mosaic is a reflection of our youth and volunteer’s ideas of the theme, “A World Without AIDS”. Many thanks to the Mosaic Committee headed by Greg Hugeback, Sloane Simmons and Catherine Stark Corn!

Thanks to all of these people mentioned in today’s blog and thank you to everyone who is out working hard to raise money for AIDS WALK Kansas City....you all are heroes!

Michael Lintecum, Event Director

Fundraising in full swing!

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 05:00:00 GMT

AIDS WALK fundraising season is in full swing! I want to say “THANK YOU, THANK YOU” to everyone who is out there raising money for our local AIDS service organizations. The fight goes on and the cause has never been more important. I encourage everyone to please make a fundraising page at FirstGiving.com and send to your friends, family and co-workers ASAP!

A huge shout out to our great teams that are working really hard to raise money for this year’s efforts! Special thanks to long-time friends of AIDS WALK who are once again putting themselves above the call of duty as a Team Captain. They are true leaders in the fight against HIV/AIDS: Terri Goddard who heads up Team Mama’s Family, Terry Bax who is Team Captain of Team Clover and Andre du Broc who heads up the HERE at Hallmark team. And a special thanks goes to LikeMe Lighthouse, one of the newest organizations in Kansas City who is fielding a great team and have really done a great job in raising money and awareness for AIDS WALK. And not to be forgotten....all the other great team leaders and their team members who are doing so much for the WALK this year! Go to FirstGiving.com and read the list of Team Captains who are hard at work--they are true warriors of the heart!

Michael Lintecum, Event Director

NBC Action News Feature

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 05:00:00 GMT

I hope you'll watch the following story by Mark Clegg of NBC Action News on AIDS WALK Kansas City and the many other non-profit organizations that I get the honor to work with on a daily basis. AlDS WALK is not the only project that we help produce along with hundreds of volunteers but it is nearest and dearest to our hearts. Please check it out!

Michael Lintecum, Event Director

The power of online fundraising!

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 19:47:00 GMT

I have been reminded again how powerful the internet can be for raising money for AIDS WALK. Last Thursday, one of our Walkers sent out his First Giving fundraising page. A day or so later a donation was made on his page from a friend in Boston, MA in the amount of $5,000! Now, I share that not because we expect that to happen to every walker but only to use it as an example of how well First Giving works for raising money as a part of your efforts to support AIDS WALK! It is such an easy, reliable and safe way for your friends, family and co-workers to contribute to you. I have created my page so you know it has to be easy! And, although I am waiting for the “right day” to send it out to all my contacts in my address book, I have already collected several donations on it! I really urge you to make a big difference in your fundraising by clicking here and setting up your page today. I promise you that you will have fun and be amazed by generous responses you get...even from your friends that might live half way across the country!

Michael Lintecum, Event Director

Val-O-Ween hits and one amazing graphic designer!

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 06:00:00 GMT

The Walk Office has recovered from both Josh’s birthday celebration last week and a great Val-O-Ween, presented by the Millennial League, Friday night! Congratulations to all members of the Millennial League! Now, what’s in store for this week? Oh yes, keep your eyes open for a truly great Valentine Day's message tomorrow in your email box! Those crazy AIDS WALK people never miss a chance to shamelessly promote AIDS WALK!

And speaking of tomorrow and all the RED that will come with it, a big “Shout Out” to Douglas Brown, our AIDS WALK 2012 logo designer! Doug’s campaign reminds us that RED is the color of energy, passion & desire....all the great things that go into making the WALK the huge success it is every year. Also, Doug’s campaign is punctuated with the message, “RED IS LOVE”. Here on Valentine’s eve, AIDS WALK sends out a huge RED hug and thank you to everyone who is helping make AIDS WALK 2012 another successful year!

Michael Lintecum

Event Director

Who's your Caddy?!

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Well, last Thursday was our Kick-Off party for AIDS WALK 2012. If the party is any indication of what is in store for this year’s events & Walk, it is going to be a GREAT year! Thank you to Missy Koonce, Ron Megee and Anthony Edwards

for entertaining the troops--it was great fun! Also, I want to give a “SHOUT OUT” to Scott Switzer and his family of Switzer Brothers Commercial Painting for coming on board as Sponsors of AIDS WALK 2012! If your company, family or friends would like to be a part of the AIDS WALK Sponsorship Program, let us know at the WALK Office ASAP!

As we roll through this week, we will be celebrating two important benchmarks – our terrific Kick-Off and Josh Strodtman’s birthday! So this week at the WALK Office it’s cake and candles all week long in celebration of one great AIDS WALK associate producer!

With the Kick-Off over now we look to the AIDS WALK OPEN on March 3! Look for a fabulous AIDS WALK OPEN video by Ron & Missy on-line tomorrow! It will have you asking, “Who’s your Caddy?!”

Michael Lintecum

Event Director

Kick-Offs and Fundraising!

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMT

As you probably know, this week marks the official kick-off of AIDS WALK Kansas City 2012. We will honor this occasion by hosting the annual AIDS WALK Kick-Off Celebration this Thursday, 5:30 pm at Cafe Trio. All are invited so please join us!

With the Kick-off it means that the fundraising season now comes into full swing...and it is time to join me in creating your own Firstgiving Page! Minutes ago I created my page at www.firstgiving.com/aidswalkkc - it was easy, fast and is a great way for us to tell our families, friends and work associates that we care about those living with HIV/AIDS. This is a great tool for your contacts, out town as well as in town, to support you as you support AIDS WALK. So, please jump on-line now and create your page....and then start sending it all over the world!

Michael Lintecum, Event Director

AIDS WALK 2012 off to a great start!

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Well, there is no question about it....the AIDS WALK season has started! Thursday night we had our first Steering Committee meeting at Bistro 303 and it was a blast. There was high energy and enthusiasm everywhere I turned! Josh Strodtman tee'd up the evening by giving an update on the AIDS WALK Open, which will be held on Saturday, March 3. Josh drove home the issue for all of us to get our family and friends to go on-line ASAP and sign up to play the miniature golf classic before all spaces are filled!

Chadwick Brooks had an incredible update on the AIDS WALK new fundraising event, DENIM, A Fashion Performance on the history of men's denim, that will take place on Friday, March 23. This is going to be one of Kansas City’s hottest and memorable fashion shows of 2012 with the likes of Ron Megee taking a co-host role on event night with Chadwick! We are thrilled that Laurie Ingram is hosting a cocktail party in her home in mid-February for potential Sponsors and Ticket Buyers for DENIM.

Yours truly kept the New Event replacing the Union Hill parties under wraps. Keep reading this BLOG to the end and you will find out what we are going to be doing in place of the ever popular but resting Union Hill event.

Terry Newell encouraged the Steering Committee to get on and stay on social media between now and April 28 to remind our Friends, Followers and Stalkers of all the great AIDS WALK special events coming your way this winter and spring. I encourage you once you are done reading the blog to become a Friend of AIDS WALK on Facebook – we are trying to get to 6,000 Friends by the end of this year’s campaign....and with your help we will do it! Also, keep up to date with AIDS WALK on Twitter! Hey, it’s free and greatly helps all that we are trying to accomplish with AIDS WALK 2012!

Koree Frye, long-time Steering Committee member, reminds us that it is never too late to donate to this year’s auction party, usually held during Union Hill Parties. This year Koree and her crew will be ready to give you a deal of a lifetime as the auction will now take place at the New Event replacing Union Hill parties. Keep reading this blog to find out where, what and when on this new event!

Janie & Gary Foltz and JP Crilly, Co-Chairs of AIDS WALK 2012, each shared great thoughts on past AIDS WALK successes and the role our Steering Committee plays into those. They also looked ahead at all the events, the WALK itself and the fun that lay ahead in 2012!

John Pinkerton, AIDS Service Foundation Board President, reminded us of the simple fact about our local fight against AIDS. No Calvary is showing up in their white hats to help us out here in Kansas City--it is up to all of us, together and individually, doing the right thing by getting involved, volunteering, attending special events and donating! If not us, who? In not now, when? I prefer to think it is all of us, now!

Oh and you can be a part of the Calvary on SUNDAY, MAY 20 when AIDS WALK Garden Party will take place at the beautiful new home of a long time AIDS WALK friend who lives on the corner of Meyer Circle and Ward Parkway! The Host Committee is dazzling and the entertainment will truly showcase Kansas City’s best...complete with a Floorshow that is not to be missed! Truly, this party will be the talk of the town for months! The event will not only include the annual auction but there will be live music, food, beverage and fun in the spectacular home! And of course, the cause doesn’t get any better than AIDS WALK Kansas City! So mark your calendar for 5-20-12 and the rest of the special events as we make our way down the campaign trail of AIDS WALK 2012!

Cheers!
Michael, Event Director

2012--the year to Kick AIDS Butt!

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Well, it is that time of year to begin thinking AIDS WALK Kansas City. This year will mark the 24th time that compassionate Kansas Citians have drawn together and made the commitment to fight HIV/AIDS – I'm loving Ron Megee and Missy Koonce's brand new motto they used last month at World AIDS Day: “Let’s kick some AIDS butt!”

Right on! Let’s start kickin’! Today, on this bright January afternoon, I am thinking of all the caring people I have met over my 18 years as event director - like the AIDS WALK Steering Committee. This passionate group assist both Josh Strodtman (our associate producer) and I throughout the year to produce event after event culminating in April’s AIDS WALK. Added to this great group are the incredible 150 + Team Captains who get their friends, co-workers and families to join them in raising tons of money for the WALK over many, many months. And last but certainly not least in this mix of grand friends are our Sponsors who believe in all of us and who believe in the mission to fight HIV/AIDS locally with their financial resources. What is really in my mind’s eye today is thinking of all of these different, wonderful folks, showing up on April 28th at AIDS WALK to Walk the Walk, once again...

To think, just one of you, out of any of these groups, have an incredible effect on our city, our community and our world because of what you do in the fight against AIDS. When I think about multiplying that by 1,000 or actually 4,500 who will participate on the 28th of April, I am truly humbled. We will probably never meet all those that we support with our efforts, team meetings, special events and Walking but this is why I adore my friends on the Steering Committee, our Team Captains and those who support the WALK with time and treasure. All of you are warriors of the heart.

Each of you reading this have contributed in so many ways to make this one of the largest and most successful AIDS WALK in the United States--that’s impressive! To me, working, laughing, raising money with you is a wonderful reality, and as long as people in Kansas City are suffering from HIV and AIDS, we will continue to fight together. And of course, over the next several months of 2012, we will Kick Some AIDS Butt!

Michael Lintecum, Event Director

Exciting Week ahead - Will I see you?

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 06:00:00 GMT

This coming Tuesday, March 1, 5:30 PM Kauffman Center is the annual Walker Summit for you and your friends to learn new and effective ways to raise more money for your fundraising efforts!

AIDS WALK Open, one of Kansas City's "not to miss" events is Saturday, March 5th - grab your friends and your putter and have some fun!

With all the fun we have working on AIDS WALK this time of year, today we were working on our Memorial Program. I became sad remembering that we have to add two new names of personal friends of mine to the memorial t-shirt that aren't with us this year.

I am looking forward to next Saturday when I hope someone asks me..."Michael...Who's your Caddy?"!

Welcome to Michael's Blog!

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 05:00:00 GMT

The AIDS WALK Steering Committee is gearing up for another great year of fundraising and awareness building for the local fight against HIV/AIDS. We hope you will join us at one or all of our special events throughout the year...beginning with the Kick-Off party this Thursday! We are excited about our new location for the Kick-Off and want to say “Thank You” to our friends at Bistro 303 for catering the event! Emcees, Missy Koonce and Ron Megee, always make this party a fun and memorable evening and we know you won’t want to miss it! See you Thursday!