What’s on Our Minds

  Wichita Riverfest, like KMAZ, celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2011.  In 1971, Wichita Festivals Inc. organized the Wichitennial River Festival and Traders Day Celebration, which by 1974 grew into the 10day annual event now known as the Wichita Riverfest. The Riverfest continues to achieve its original goal of bringing our community together, building community pride and focusing onWichita’s great natural resource, theArkansas River.  The Riverfest depends upon a score of community volunteers, and KMAZ …

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The Kansas Aviation Museum hosts a United States Air Force B-47 plane that was retrieved from the Oklahoma state fairgrounds in 2007. The plane was assembled during the summer of 2010, but has needed a finished paint job before it is officially restored. On June 4, KMAZ gathered at the Kansas Aviation Museum along with regular museum volunteers to roll a fresh coat of paint onto the old war plane. KMAZ also donated the paint …

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In 1981, six Wichita police officers came to then Chief Richard LaMunyon with an idea that would unite local law enforcement agencies andthe community for a special cause:  Special Olympics Kansas.  Decades later, Law Enforcement Torch Run has ignited into the largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle for Special Olympics worldwide.  Each year, law enforcement officers relay the Flame of Hope across the globe in support of a very special population.  The runners blaze …

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Colon Cancer Coalition hosts Get Your Rear in Gear, a race held nationwide to promote awareness and raise research funds to fight colon cancer. Held on a cool summer evening, the race featured a 1 mile fun run/walk, 5K timed run, and a 5K walk.  Well over 600 participants and observers attended the race inWichita.  KMAZ served as an event sponsor, providing funds to get the event up and running.  A group of KMAZ participants …

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In May, Joplin experienced a three-quarter mile wide tornado. The tornado was one of thedeadliest this nation has experienced. The tornado caused over 100deaths, thousands of injuries, anddamage to numerous homes and businesses. Countless volunteers, organizations, and state and federal agencies immediately extended a helping hand towards Joplin, including KMAZ. KMAZ donated and KMAZ volunteers handed out basic supplies, such as bottled water and toothbrushes, to victims and other volunteers. While in Joplin, the volunteers …

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KMAZ participated in its first Sedgwick County Tour de Cure on Saturday, May 21, 2011 atSedgwickCountyPark.  The Tour de Cure is a bicycle ride raising funds each year to support the essential efforts of the American Diabetes Association.  Each dollar raised supports diabetes research, treatment, education and advocacy for adults and children, touching their lives in critically important ways.   KMAZ set up a booth at this year’s Tour de Cure, handing out bottled water to …

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 The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is a non-profit organization that promotes research, provides educational programs, offers services to thosediagnosed, and advocates on the state and federal level. The Mid-America Chapter hosts several of the nearly 600 MS walks held throughout the nation. Walk MS is an excellent way for the community to raise awareness of MS and raise funds to research MS.            

Klenda, Mitchell, Austerman & Zuercher, LLC made its 6th appearance in the Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kids’ Sake Law Firm Bowl on Saturday, April 2, 2011 at Northrock Lanes. As one of the nation’s largest mentoring networks, BBBS matches volunteer adults with children, most whom come from single parent households and low-income families. BBBS believes in nurturing children to help them achieve their full potential. The Bowl-a-thon is one of the organization’s largest fundraisers. Under the guidance of KMAZ Office Manager, Steve …

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The issues of childhood obesity and malnourishment are frequently making headlines – not in third world countries but right here in the United States. Some now consider childhood obesity a national epidemic with nearly 1 in every 3 American children being overweight or even obese – a condition that puts these children at high risk for diabetes, heart disease, and even some types of cancer. Action for Healthy Kids is an organization that partners with schools …

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KPTS describes itself as “a local public television station whose mission is to educate the community, engage and challenge minds, entertain Kansans and enrich society through quality programming and civic leadership.” On March 9, 2011, thirteen (13) members of the Klenda, Mitchell, Austerman & Zuercher LLC team participated in the KPTS Pledge Drive, answering phones and accepting pledges on behalf of the public television station. The team raised $1750 in total. Thanks to all who participated: Chasity Helm, Dee …

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