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