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