Fundraising Tip of the Week: How To Raise 2.5 Times More Money!

For the past several months we have been posting weekly fundraising tips to help you successfully meet and exceed your fundraising goals for your 2011 MS Walk. We covered ideas ranging from bakeless bake sales to rubber duck races, but can you guess what the most important fundraising tip that we can give you is?

Pledging yourself! You may have heard us tell you before that it is always a great idea to pledge yourself but you probably didn’t know how important that first step really is to your overall fundraising success.

Recent studies show that participants who pledge themselves turn in 2.5 times as much money as those that simply ask others and 5 times as much as those that simply show up and write a cheque.

Why?

Well, quite frankly it’s called putting your money where your mouth is. It’s a lot easier to get friends and family members to pledge you for your MS Walk, if you can say that you have personally donated to your efforts.

After all, if you truly believe in a cause you have to be willing to take the first step. 

Click here to register for your local MS Walk.

For additional fundraising tips, select a link below:

Fundraising tip #1 – Use the snow blues

Fundraising tip #2 – Play games

Fundraising tip #3 – Start your own team

Fundraising tip #4 – How to raise $500 in 9 days

Fundraising tip #5 – Think big

Fundraising tip #6 – Get people involved

Fundraising tip #7 – Embrace the holidays

Fundraising tip #8 – Mix it up

Fundraising tip #9 – Host a 'Make believe tea party"

Fundraising tip #10 – Get personal

Fundraising tip #11 – The little things

Fundraising tip #12 – Auction off

Fundraising tip #13 – A bakeless bake sale

Fundraising tip #14 - Lunch break
Fundraising tip #15 -Don't forget to pledge yourself!

Fundraising tip #16 - Turn to Your Team

Fundraising tip #17 - Off to The Races

Fundraising Tip #18 - Crazy Golf!

She Weighs 4.5 Tons And Makes Every Step Matter!

Join us at the 2011 Bowmanville MS Walk Pre-Event taking place on Sunday April 3 for a special surprise - the chance for your family to walk with [and feed!] Limba the Elephant from the Bowmanville Zoo!

Limba will begin her walk at the Bowmanville Zoo at approximately 11:30 am and continue west on King Street to the Bowmanville Mall parking lot [Shoppers Drug Mart Side, 243 King Street East]. For a small donation, you will even have the opportunity to feed Limba! Funds raised will go towards the fight to end MS.

You are welcome to meet Limba at the Zoo to join her on her walk, or join us later at the Bowmanville Mall. Limba’s walk will take place as long as Limba is available and the weather is acceptable.

The Bowmanville Zoo is located at 340 King Street East, Bowmanville, On. Click here for a map.

Click here to register for your local MS Walk.

Sponsor Profile - The Brockville MS Walk

The Brockville MS Walk is now in its 14^th year and the organizing committee would like to take the time to thank the media sponsors who continue to support the event year after year:

-          Chum Radio Brockville (104.9 JR FM and 103.7 Bob FM)

-          The Recorder and Times

-          TVCOGECO

-          St. Lawrence EMC

Please take some time to learn more about our sponsors by clicking on their names above to visit their respective websites.

Fundraising Tip of the Week: Crazy Golf!

This week’s tip involves getting outside, enjoying the weather and getting a little crazy. Many of you may love playing a traditional 18 holes to kick off your spring season but this year, why not spice it up? This spring, organize a Crazy Golf Tournament!

Here is how a crazy golf tournament can work: each team receives 18 envelopes (or 9 if you’re only playing a half round), and one is opened at each hole. In each envelope there is a unique note specifying how that team must play that hole. For example: having to putt with a blindfold on, having to tee-off using your non-dominant hand, you can only use a wedge standing on one foot, etc.. Whatever crazy terms you give them, they have to do. And vice versa!

Just charge each team a small amount to enter the competition – enough to cover the course fees and a little extra to go towards the MS Walk.

Alternatively, you could create your own mini putt course in your backyard! Make it as challenging and creative as you want! Simply purchase some mini-putters and small course obstacles from the dollar store and charge an admission fee to play your unique course. Great fun for young and old alike!

...

Click here to register for your local MS Walk.

Sponsor Profile - The Muskoka MS Walk

“I will display the brochures and promote the MS Walk until they find a cure.”

These are the words of one of the faithful sponsors of the Muskoka MS Walk, just one example of the degree of passion and commitment expressed by all of the local sponsors each year.

Local sponsors play an integral part in the success of the MS Walk and we would therefore like to take a moment to thank the following local media sponsors who continue to provide unwavering support to the Muskoka Walk year after year!

We thank:

·         MooseFM

·         Metroland North Media (Huntsville Forrester, Parry Sound North Star, Gravenhurst Banner, Bracebridge Examiner)

·         TV Cogeco

Please take a moment to learn more about our sponsors by clicking on their names to visit their respective websites.

Fundraising Tip of the Week: Off to the Races - QUACK!

What’s the most intense and nail-biting race that takes place each spring in Ontario? It’s more exciting than the cars, motorcycles, bicycles, airplanes, or other “extreme sports” events. Think along the lines of “quack, quack”.

This week’s fundraising tip is to hold a community rubber duck race.

Holding a rubber duck race in your community can be one of the most fun, rewarding and effective fundraising events that you can hold. Kids especially love them.

Here’s how to prepare for a rubber duck race in 4 easy steps:

1.  Buy rubber ducks (or any other fun objects that can float) in bulk from the local dollar store or online.
2.  Assign each one a distinctive number that matches a ticket number.
3. Connect with your neighbours, friends and family members and invite them, for a small donation, to “adopt” a duck for the chance to win a prize.
4. Encourage local business to donate prizes.

Rubber duck races are great because they are versatile and can accommodate various turnout sizes; however, the bigger it gets, the more exciting it gets!

A great way to maximize your turnout is to branch out to your community through local places of worship, sporting events, schools, etc.

Once you’ve selected the nearest body of water (it will need a slight current), set the race date and sell your tickets.

On race day, release all of the rubber ducks into the water at once and watch them race! The first duck to cross the designated finish line wins!

You’ll find that once you hold rubber duck race in your community the event will grow bigger and bigger each year as more people look forward to it!

P.S.: Please respect the environment and make sure that you remove all rubber ducks from the water after the event!

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Click here to register for your local MS Walk.

Participating in an MS Walks in the Niagara Region? Look to the sky for Lizzy Mcfly!

For several years now Elizabeth Murphy has been completing 3 MS Walks routes in one day! How does she do it? Hundreds of feet up in the sky, performing aerial acrobatics in her Cessna plane!

Elizabeth Murphy, better known as Lizzy Mcfly in the Niagara Region, exemplifies the spirit of a phrase which we often hear from those living with MS: “I’ve got MS but it doesn’t have me!” Lizzy has experienced MS symptoms since childhood, however, was not clinically diagnosed with multiple sclerosis until 2005 – the year which she calls her rebirth. She has approached living MS with positivity, drive and determination, knowing that every day may be difficult but every day is a celebration.

“This diagnosis was not only the worst thing that ever happened to me, but it was also the best. I am so much more positive now. I don't take anything for granted, I'm extremely appreciative of everything good in my life, I don't sweat the small stuff and am much more relaxed. I try not to think of the future, but keep grounded in the present. Life is too short to dwell on the have-nots and negatives that are out of my control. It would be so easy for me to focus on the things I lost - my career goals, social life and recently being medically discharged from the Army Reserve after over ten years of service. I'm not going to give this disease that power.”

Lizzy also posts to a personal blog on her website which she updates regularly with stories about her personal life and recent flights. Interestingly, she also ends each blog post outlining the various symptoms which are affecting her that day, providing some insight into how she positively manages living with MS. It’s a fun site where Lizzy’s personality really shines through, showing us that MS is not something that can we can allow to ground us forever – we can continuously soar to new heights!

If you would like to donate to Lizzy’s fundraising campaign, you can visit her secure online fundraising page here.  

If you are in the Niagara Region, Lizzy will also be teaming up with hockey legend Marcel Dionne at “Marcel’s Store” (click here for a map) on April 13^th in order to raise funds to end MS. 

Learn more about Lizzy at lizzymcfly.com.

Also, check out Lizzy’s interview with TV Cogeco – Niagara below:

Spring Blooms! 5 Steps to prepare for a healthy MS Walk

What an excellent time of year to be Canadian! Mother Nature pushes aside Old Man Winter and blesses us with warming rays of sunshine, as we leave our hibernation dens behind and get back to enjoying the great outdoors.

It is officially spring and we wish you all a great season of personal and professional growth! With only 28 days left until the the first MS Walk in Ontario, here are 5 quick tips to help you prepare for your Walk:

1.     Make sure that you have a good, comfortable pair of shoes.

2.     Start your Walk training slowly. Gradually build yourself up starting with 5 or 10 minutes at a time.

3.     Avoid drastic increases in time on your feet. Increase by 5 minute increments weekly until you reach 30 minutes of walking, 3 times a week.

4.     Don’t forget your water. Bring a stainless steel water bottle with you to the Walk and try to drink continuously throughout the Walk.

5.     Eat a good healthy breakfast before the Walk. A bowl of porridge with milk, a bit of maple syrup for some sweetness and slices of apples are a good choice. Sprinkled with some yummy cinnamon!

Now get outside and start walking! We thank you for being part of the movement to end MS!

[Tips by Linda Houle-Robert, B.Sc(Kin), M.A., B.Ed., PTS, RHN]

SPREAD THE WORD!!! 30 Days Until the MS Walk!

There's only 30 days are left until the first MS Walk of 2011! 

We hope that you are as excited as we are! As we approach the final stretch, we invariably are asked an important question from fundraisers looking to leverage their online presence to obtain pledges:

“How do I use social media to spread the word about my fundraising activities?”

The answer is: Visit our “Spread the Word” page online!

We’ve made it easier than ever for you to spread the word to your friends, family, colleagues and associates that you are walking to end MS and would very much appreciate their support.

Here are some ideas on how you can digitally spread the word:

·         Update your profile picture on your favorite social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, Bebo, Orkut, etc.) with an MS Walk badge

·         Embed one of our animated MS Walk banners onto your blog, personal website or email signature

·         Share the inspiring MS Walk video Every Step Matters with your online network

·         Update your voicemail to let people know that you are a Walker

·         Post a link to your online fundraising page on your social media sites of choice

·         Print off an MS Walk poster and hang it up in your office cubicle or lunch room

·         Update your email signature line with a MS Walk badge which links to your online fundraising page

·         Update your desktop wallpaper with a custom MS Walk background image

You will find all of the items above at: http://mssociety.ca/ontario/scwalkads.htm

Social media is one of the greatest tools for connecting and sharing with many people instantaneously and at no cost – so go on, spread the word that you’re walking to end MS!

Remember – there are only 30 days left until the Walk! Good luck with both your online and offline fundraising and thank you for being part of the movement to end MS!

Six Legs Are Better Than Two! Walk Your Dog To Stay Healthy!

One of the most simple and rewarding ways to remain fit and prepare for your MS Walk this spring: Get out there and walk your dog!

A study from the University of Victoria, British Columbia, showed that dog owners walk an average of 300 minutes a week, versus 160 minutes a week for those who are doggy-less.  That’s an incredible difference of 121 additional hours of exercise per year! Both you and your pooch will benefit immensely from a physical health standpoint and it will also strengthen your relationship as well.

Dogs are the ultimate exercise partner since they will NEVER turn down a walk, no matter the weather or time of day – they are excellent motivators to get you outside and keep you active.  We dare you to look at your dog right now and ask them “Do you want to go for a Walk?”

Take advantage of daylight savings time and get outside  for a 30 minute walk with your pup at least 3 times a week. We guarantee that you won’t regret it!

Don’t have a dog to walk? Ask a friend or loved one to join you for a routine Walk – it’s an excellent way to catch up and get your daily exercise!

Sponsor Profile - York Region Media Group

The York Region MS Walks are incredibly fortunate to have the support of many local media outlets in providing coverage and extending awareness of the MS Walk. The Markham-Stouffville, Richmond Hill-Thornhill-Aurora, and Woodbridge-Vaughan MS Walks all benefit immensely from the sponsorship provided by the York Region Media Group and Rogers TV.

York Region Media Group continues to play a key role in ensuring that the local communities are aware of and encouraged to become involved in the MS Walks by running print ads, distributing brochures, and providing classified space when available.

We extend a special thanks to York Region Media Group, The Markham Economist & Sun, The Stouffville Sun-Tribune, The Richmond Hill Liberal, and The Vaughan Citizen for helping to ensure that the MS Walk is a success!

For more information please visit www.metroland.com

Rogers TV is another long-term, committed supporter of the York Region MS Walk. Through airing the MS Walk PSA, as well as featuring the MS Walk and its inspiring participants in their local programming, Rogers TV has been invaluable in providing us exposure to the community, thus aiding in the recruitment of both participants and volunteers. We extend a big thank you to Rogers TV for their commitment in the fight to end MS.

For more information about Rogers TV, please visit www.rogerstv.com

Fundraising Tip of the Week: Turn To Your Team!

As the MS Walk date quickly approaches, many may feel as if they’ve already explored all fundraising avenues: they’ve asked their family, friends, boss, even their boss’ friends! However, this isn't the time to run out of steam, this is a time to get excited! We are so close to the finish line!

This week’s tip is called: “Turn to your team”. We’d like to encourage your team to try a little bit of friendly competition. Create little team challenges to motivate everyone on the team to raise that extra little bit of money, and supercede your goal for this year’s MS Walk.

Some examples of team challenges: who can collect the most nickels in a week, who can obtain the biggest pledge from a local business, or even challenge teammates to each find another new team member and the last person to recruit one has to donate a flat rate to the team.

Use these ideas to create your own little competitions -  just make sure you have fun with it! Less competitive ideas include bringing your team together for a bingo, raffle or even karaoke night.

Not part of a team? Well, it isn’t too late – all you need to is to do is round up three (or more!) of your friends, family members or co-workers, pick a team captain and team name, then register!

Click here to register for your local MS Walk.

Twenty Years of walking to end MS!

In 1991, the first MS Walk launched as the “Super Cities WALK for MS” in Canada. Twenty years later, the MS Walk is the Society’s largest event fundraiser.  Not only is it a fun-filled day shared amongst friends and family, but funds raised have led to some incredible achievements. Here’s a look at some highlights:

1993 The MS Scientific Research Foundation funds a vast study on genetic susceptibility

1995 Betaseron, first drug that slows the progress of MS, approved by Health Canada for cyclical forms of the disease

1996 The MS Society allocates record amount of $2.5M for research

1996 - Canadian researchers find a gene linkage to MS susceptibility

1999 First MS pediatric clinic opens in Canada

2001 First Ontarians with Disabilities Act enacted with MS Society playing key role in passage

2004 The MS Scientific Research Foundation funds $4.3 million five-year study on Canadian children aimed at identifying MS triggers

2006 Tysabri, 5th drug to slow the progress of MS, approved by Health Canada for cyclical forms of the disease 

2007 MS Society of Canada Scholarship Program, supported by the band Billy Talent & Friends, awards 61 scholarships worth $60,000 to Canadian teenagers and young adults directly affected by MS

2008 MS Society of Canada marks 60 years in the movement to end MS

2008 Canada has twenty-seven MS clinics in operation admired around the world!

2009 MS Society of Canada establishes 5 research and training centres with over 100 scientists and 250 trainees

2010 MS Society of Canada reserves $1 million for a chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) and MS pan-Canadian therapeutic clinical trial

2011 MS Society of Canada commemorates 20 Years of the MS Walk

“My favourite thing about the MS Walk is the people. I like talking to people and knowing that everyone is there for the same reason – to help end MS. “

- Tyrell Davidson, lives with MS