MS Walk Sponsorship Opportunities

The 2011 MS Walk program is looking for partners to help enhance the participant experience on event day and help to reduce our event costs.

There are many great ways local businesses and individuals can support the MS Society of Canada through the MS Walk in 2011. Consider a cash sponsorship; donate food or other supplies like condiments, paper products or ice. Your company could donate hotel rooms for the event weekend, barbeques, tables or chairs, cell phones, walkie talkies or even port-o-potties. Your contribution to the event will help us make the 2011 MS Walk a big success!

If you, or someone you know, would be interested in becoming a sponsor for the 2011 MS Walk, or if you would like to find out more about how you can help, please contact Alison Foreman at alison.foreman@mssociety.ca

Get Your Teen Burger Tomorrow!

Don’t forget tomorrow, August 26th, is the second annual A&W Cruisin’ for a Cause Day. Buy a Teen Burger at participating A&W locations, and A&W will donate $1 from each sale to support multiple sclerosis research and client services through the MS Society of Canada. As a bonus, A&W will also donate 50 cents from every RSVP on the official Facebook event page, up to $20,000.

Grab a friend and enjoy a tasty Teen Burger tomorrow as you support the movement to end MS!

Volunteering Opportunities

Consider being a part of one of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada’s most exciting annual events and volunteer at our upcoming RONA MS Bike Tour- Toronto.

Volunteers are a very important part of each Bike Tour’s success. We are still looking for volunteers for a variety of positions, including route marshalls, logistics helpers, supporters to cheer at the finish line, and route signage set-up and tear-down. Visit http://mssociety.ca/ontario/bikevolunteer.htm for a full list of opportunities.

We are also still looking for volunteers to help at the upcoming Niagara Tour on August 22nd. Contact Clarinda Brandão (mailto:clarinda.brandao@mssociety.ca) to get involved today!

Rookie team makes a big impact at the 2010 Oakville MS Walk

Casey and Cindy Di Battista of Oakville, Ontario, definitely got off to a great start as they prepared for their first MS Walk. Through hard work and dedication, the Di Battistas successfully assembled a team of 35 walkers. Team Di Battista brought smiles, cheer, and bright yellow team shirts to the Oakville MS Walk, along with a fundraising total of more than $17,900!

Casey, Cindy and their teammates joined approximately 560 other walkers on April 18th to raise a total of $187,900 for multiple sclerosis research, support, and services. Congratulations to all participants and volunteers for making every step matter in the movement to end MS!

A&W Cruisin' for a Cause Day

Thursday August 26th marks the second annual A&W Cruisin’ for a Cause Day, where $1 from the sale of every Teen Burger is donated to support the mission of the MS Society of Canada.

As an added bonus, A&W will also donate 50 cents for every Facebook RSVP we receive on the official A&W Cruisin’ for a Cause Day event page , up to $20,000!

RSVP today by clicking on I’m Attending, and help us move one step closer to ending MS.

Wanted: MS Walk Planning Committee Members

Take a new step with the MS Walk this year! Consider joining your local planning committee, and get more involved with your community while making a difference in the lives of those living with multiple sclerosis.

Each local MS Walk Committee works together with an MS Society of Canada coordinator to help recruit new participants and local sponsors, enlist and train event volunteers, and execute a memorable MS Walk. As a committee member, you’ll have a chance to build relationships, gain leadership experience, develop event planning skills, and learn more about how the MS Walk operates and is executed.

“My husband and I liked the idea of getting involved locally, and we joined the MS Walk Planning Committee in 1999. In 2001, I became the Committee Chair. I love working side by side with my friends and family on the committee, and the MS Walk weekend is an amazing experience. I am very proud that our fundraising has more than doubled in the last 10 years, and that all net revenue of the funds we raise go directly to those in our community who live with MS. Every MS Walk day, I am very emotional, surrounded by wonderful volunteers and walkers, and feel grateful to be a part of such a special, important event. Every step really does matter!” --- Jan, Markham Stouffville MS Walk Planning Committee Chair

We are looking for volunteers with a wide variety of skills and experience. Positions on the committee include: sourcing sponsors, recruiting and stewarding walkers and teams, planning the route and more!

For more information about joining a MS Walk Planning Committee in your area, please contact Clarinda Brandao, Volunteer Resources, at clarinda.brandao@msociety.ca.

Making Connections at the 2010 Toronto MS Walk

One of the 2010 Toronto MS Walk coordinators, Katie, reflects on her experience at the MS Walk, and the connections with participants that highlighted her day.

There’s no doubt the 2010 Toronto MS Walk was a huge success. The skies were blue, the weather was warm, the lively drum corps kicked us off to a great start and the turnout was incredible. Together, over 2800 Toronto walkers raised over $789,000!

For me, as a staff member, the best part of the Toronto MS Walk was meeting participants I had made connections with during the months leading up to Walk day. Including walkers like Barbara Eby-Dunn, a first-time participant who took on the role of Team Captain for Barb’s Buddies.

Barbara was in touch with me with questions and concerns before the event, as she was keen to make the MS Walk a great success for her and her teammates. Of course, I was happy to help, but meeting Barbara in person at the Toronto MS Walk on Sunday, April 18th, made me appreciate my involvement with the MS Walk so much more. Barbara’s passion and enthusiasm shined through as she introduced herself and told me what a wonderful time she had had. Meeting Barbara was a meaningful and special experience for me and I felt so privileged to have had a part in her success.

Whether you’re MS staff, volunteers, participants or supporters – we all play an important role in ending MS and helping those we care about. Every step matters!