Next time you go to ask someone for a donation, instead of simply asking them to sponsor you, trying asking them for a certain amount. Tell them about the MS Walk and why are you walking and ask if they will pledge you, for example, $100. Don’t be shy, get in there, and be bold about the donation amount you are asking for. Even if someone says no to the large amount you have requested, they’ll probably offer an amount with which they are more comfortable, such as $25. This donation will likely be greater than if you simply ask to be sponsored. |
| Elite Feet long-sleeved tech tee |
Asking for donations is great; turning donation giving into a must-do can be a lot of fun, and really simple. Try flamingo flocking. Cover someone’s office or cubical with pink flamingo cuts, and leave a note explaining that in order to get rid of the flamingo’s they must pay a fee (i.e. $5), or they can choose to move the flamingo’s to someone else’s workspace for a bigger fee (i.e. $10) and finally for a large fee (i.e. $15) they can also find out who flocked them. If you hype this up you can get your co-workers really into it. A way you could get your coworkers excited about it is to preface this event with a warning letter to all your colleagues that they may be visited by some pink flamingos so keep an eye out. All you need is cut outs of pink flamingos and a little creativity.
The holidays are a great time to bring friends and family together, so this holiday season use these moments to tell the people you love why you are participating in the MS Walk.
As you start to think of fundraising for the 2011 MS Walk why not try something new and different? Changing up how you ask for donations can allow you to target different people, as well as to have some fun with your fundraising. Try thinking of new ways to bring your friends, family and neighbours together while you promote the MS Walk. Try hosting a garage sale, where all the proceeds go towards your donation total. Maybe bring everyone together for a pot luck dinner and charge people an entrance fee. These ideas are just two ways you can spend time with great people while you spread the word on why you walking.
Being the host of a make believe tea party is simple; all you need are some invitations, postage and tea bags. Get creative and design an invitation to your make believe tea party, make sure you include a date (i.e. family day) and time (i.e. high noon). Along with each invitation include one tea bag (they are cheap to buy in bulk), and explain that to be a part of the make believe tea party each attendee will sit down on your chosen date and time and have cup of tea for MS Walk in the comfort of their home. In order to attend your make believe tea party your guests must pay an attendance fee of your choice.
This week’s fundraising tip is to get personal with your fundraising page. Login to your fundraising page and make it your own. Use it as a resource to show your donors where their money is going. You can personalize your page and make it compelling by adding your own photos, videos, and text. It’s a great place to tell donors your story of why you are walking and why the MS Walk deserves their support!
We want to ensure you reach your fundraising goal this year, so make sure to check back weekly for the fundraising tip of the week. Learn the best ways to collect pledges and share your ideas on how to launch a great fundraising campaign.
| $100,000 + | DREAM Team |
| $50,000 - $99,999 | STARS Team |
| $25,000 - $49,999 | PLATINUM Team |
| $10,000 - $24,999 | DIAMOND Team |
| $5,000 - $9,999 | GOLD Team |
| $2,500 - $4,999 | SILVER Team |
| $1,000 - $2,499 | BRONZE Team |
The 2011 MS Walk season is quickly approaching! With registration just around the corner, now is a great time to think about building a team. Whether you’re returning to the MS Walk, or thinking of registering for the first time, consider starting your own team and experiencing the MS Walk in a whole new way. All you need is three other team members—they could be your family, friends, neighbours, or coworkers!
In January, Nancy Moran was the lucky winner of a trip for two to a destination of her choice in North America. All she had to do was register for an MS Walk before January 31st. Nancy bought an extra ticket and took her two long-time MS Walk partners –her mom and young son, Mitchell– to Florida at the end of July. We recently had the opportunity to check in with Nancy about her trip.
The MS Walk is the MS Society of Canada’s largest fundraising event. Come out and be a part of your local organizing committee! It is a great way to become more involved in your community while making a difference in the lives of others.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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. 
We checked in with Mike Augustine, long-time ambassador for the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada and a friendly face at many MS Society events. 
Summer came early this year in Sudbury, Ontario, just in time for the 2010 Sudbury MS Walk on May 30th. Over 300 participants braved the warm weather to show their support for the MS Society of Canada, raising over $48,000 to date! 2010 was a breakthrough year for the Sudbury MS Walk, surpassing 2009’s fundraising total of $37,000 and exceeding everyone’s expectations. This achievement is the result of each participant’s hard work and dedication.
This year, the 2010 Milton-Halton Hills MS Walk celebrated a few changes and additions!
It was a sunny day in Scarborough, Ontario as almost 400 people came out to the 2010 Scarborough MS Walk in support of MS research and client services. In its 15th year, the Scarborough MS Walk has a loyal following of local residents.
We’re gearing up for the RONA MS Bike Tours. This summer, thousands of cyclists will ride across regions of Ontario, raising funds for multiple sclerosis research and support. The first Bike Tour, Grand Bend to London, is just around the corner!
Nancy Moran is enjoying the benefits of getting things done a little bit early. In January, Nancy was the lucky winner of a trip for two to a destination of her choice in North America by registering for an MS Walk before January 31st.
The MS Society of Canada would like to wish all our members, sponsors, volunteers and partners a happy Canada Day. On July 1st, we celebrate the history, growth and accomplishments of our country. We’d also like to take a moment to think about the thousands of Canadian families living with multiple sclerosis, and thank all of our supporters for their contributions in the fight to end MS.
Overcast weather didn’t stop almost 250 participants from showing their support at the 2010 Orangeville MS Walk. Thank you to all of the participants, including a loyal group who has been walking to end MS for many years now. This year, the Orangeville MS Walk raised almost $60,000 towards multiple sclerosis research and support.
The 12th annual Bolton-Caledon MS Walk was another great success this year, with lots of enthusiastic teams showing off their team spirit! Deb’s Divas sported colourful leis and Hawaiian grass skirts, and Grant’s Angels not only volunteered at the check-in tables as greeters, they also took the important job of supervising the food area! We welcomed several rookie teams this year, including Dot-Dash, Johnny Walkers, Lacing Up for Liberation, and many more. All teams in Bolton-Caledon truly made a difference in the lives of people living with MS.
