Friday, March 30, 2012

Sponsor Profile: Medavie Blue Cross makes steps matter with MS Walk

  
Medavie Blue Cross is excited to be regional sponsor of the MS Walk in Ontario. We are proud to continue our partnership with the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society of Canada in Ontario as part of our ongoing commitment to the communities where our employees and clients live and work. MS is one of the key health causes we support through our Building Healthy Communities program and in 2012, we’re pleased to support the MS Walk in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada as well as the MS Bike Tour in Quebec.

When you lace up for the MS Walk, you’re taking a step towards supporting education and research efforts to find new and better treatments for individuals and families living with MS in Ontario. Being a part of the MS Walk shows a commitment to ensuring those who suffer from this disease receive the support they need and that, together, we can make significant progress toward reducing its impact on peoples’ lives.

At Medavie Blue Cross, we play an active role in the community and our employees are no exception. They share our organization’s core value to engage in the well-being of our communities and we encourage their involvement in the events we sponsor, like the MS Walk. In fact, our employees have been showing they care about MS since the first walk in Moncton, New Brunswick in 1999!

On April 22, let’s walk together to make steps toward ending MS.
 

 
About Medavie Blue Cross
Medavie Blue Cross provides health, dental, travel, life and income replacement products to small and large companies in Atlantic Canada, Ontario and Quebec and to individual customers in Atlantic Canada.

We also know the importance of strong and healthy communities and recognize we all have a role to play in making positive impacts on health and wellness in the community.

As a not-for-profit organization, we are committed to the communities where we do business. Medavie Blue Cross contributes 3% of its annual net income to our Building Healthy Communities program. Through this program, Medavie Blue Cross and our more than 1,900 employees donate time and money to support health, wellness and community causes across the six provinces where we operate.

Follow us on Twitter @MedavieBC.
   

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Fundraising Tip #6 - Handwritten notes mean a lot!

 
A great way to increase your fundraising is to send sincere and informative handwritten letters to your friends and family. Tell them why you are participating in the MS Walk and what their support would mean to you. In an age of mounting email inboxes, a handwritten note goes a long way! 


Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Sponsor Profile – Impact Canopies Canada

    
We would like to take a minute to acknowledge an MS Walk sponsor, Impact Canopies Canada, for helping to ensure that the MS Walk is a success this spring!

Since 1999, Impact Canopies Canada has manufactured and distributed all qualities and styles of Instant Canopies and Instant Canopy Accessories.  In 2006, Impact Images Inc., based in California, was formed to manufacture and distribute Instant Canopies and Instant Canopy Accessories in the USA and other global markets.

Now, the company makes up the only true North American Instant Canopy Brand. With Canadian Offices in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Halifax and the US office in Lake Elsinore, California, Impact Instant Canopies are available throughout North America.

Check out their website or Facebook page for more information.
 

Monday, March 26, 2012

Join us at the 2012 Oakville MS Walk Kupcake Kick-Off!

   


This Saturday, March 31, come out to help us celebrate and bring awareness to the Oakville MS Walk! You can enjoy a complimentary delicious Kupcake made by PoPuff Expressions while enjoying great music supplied by DJ James Lupo of Black Tie Entertainment. Donations will be accepted and if you’d still like to sign-up for the big event, or recruit friends and family, the MS Walk team will be taking registrations!
 
When:
Saturday, March 31
9:00am to 12:00pm

Where:
Outside of Garvey’s Menswear
183 Lakeshore Road East
Downtown Oakville



Everyone is welcome! Please share this invitation with your friends, family, co-workers and team members. We look forward to seeing you at the kick-off and the MS Walk!

Visit mswalks.ca or contact Michael Lim at Michael.Lim@mssociety.ca or 416-922-6600 ext. 3127 for more details.

Special thanks to Cidalia Pereira at PoPuffExpressions.com for her generous contribution to the Oakville MS Walk Kupcake Kickoff!
 

Enter the Medavie Blue Cross Twitter Contest!

 
Follow @MedavieBC for the latest news from Medavie Blue Cross, a provider of health, dental, travel and life products to companies in Atlantic Canada, Ontario and Quebec. And follow @MSWalk on Twitter to keep up with the latest information on the 2012 Ontario MS Walks.

Between March 26 and April 1, if you’re following our account, you could be entered into a draw for a pedometer.

Here are the details on how to enter:

Entering is free! Just sign into Twitter and complete both steps below:

1.       If you have not done so already, follow @MSWalk and @MedavieBC on Twitter. Just visit the two Twitter profiles and click the "Follow" button under the picture.

If you don't have a Twitter account, you can create a new one for free at:  http://twitter.com/

2.       Retweet the following message exactly, as it's entered below. Our program will look for this exact phrase to capture your entry, so please do not alter or add to it in any way:

RT this and follow @MSWalk & @MedavieBC for a chance to win a pedometer – http://bit.ly/MedavieContest #HelpEndMS

That's it! Once you complete both steps, you will be entered in the draw for a pedometer. Remember, the contest runs until April 1. Good luck everyone!!
 
Photo from: http://www.fitbit.com/product
   
  
 

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Five Reasons Why MS Walkers Are Awesome!

 
5. They walk rain or shine!
 

2011 Owen Sound MS Walk


4. Sometimes, they’re man’s best friend.



3. They get creative!

2011 Peterborough MS Walk


2. They’re enthusiastic!

2011 Brampton MS Walk

1. They remind us that we can all help end MS: Walk, Pledge, or Volunteer!

2011 Brampton MS Walk

 
We can’t wait to see our awesome walkers at the 2012 MS Walk…only 31 days away!!

It’s not too late to register today at mswalks.ca.

Visit us on flickr and check out more MS Walk photos from across Ontario!
 

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

The “Double Double” Incentive!

  
The MS Walk is only 32 days away!! Time to recruit some more team members to help with your last month of fundraising and preparation! From today, March 21, until next Wednesday, March 28, any team who doubles their team membership (starting from a team of 4) will receive a $10 gift card from Tim Horton’s! Also, during that week, the team who recruits the most people will win a $20 gift card!   

All qualifying teams MUST identify themselves to us to win.

Please contact Ella Craig at ella.craig@mssociety.ca or 1-800-268-7582 ext. 3114 once the new members have registered.

If you’re interested in finding out more about TeamMS or would like to register, please visit TeamMS.ca.

Looking for a team to join or to recruit new members? Leave us a ‘wall post’ on Facebook or a ‘tweet’ on Twitter!
  

Friday, March 16, 2012

Fundraising Tip #5 – Lace Up! Speak Up!

 
Lace up! Speak up! is an opportunity for you to tell us why the MS Walk is important to you!

Speak up by creating a short video telling us why you lace up for someone you love and how the MS Walk has impacted your life or the life of someone you know. To upload your video and to view others’ videos, visit laceupspeakup.ca.

The creator of the video with the most YouTube views will get the chance to be featured on the MS Society website and newsletter!

And once you’ve spoken up by uploading your video to laceupspeakup.ca, don’t forget to share your video and spread the word about why fundraising for people with MS is so important. Send your video link to family, friends and coworkers and post it on your social media pages to get your message heard! You can even play the video at social gatherings or fundraising events to encourage your friends and family to pledge.
 
  

Join us at the 2012 Kawartha Lakes MS Walk Awareness Event!

  
If you’re interested in participating or learning more about the Kawartha Lakes MS Walk, then stop by the Canadian Tire in Lindsay this Saturday, March 17 from 11am-3pm. The MS Walk team will be taking registrations and answering any questions you may have regarding the event.

When:
Saturday, March 17        
11am to 3pm

Where:
Canadian Tire
377 Kent St.
Lindsay, Ontario



Everyone is welcome! Please share this invitation with your friends, family, co-workers and team members. We hope to see you there!

Visit mswalks.ca or contact MS Walk coordinator Stephanie Shen at Stephanie.Shen@mssociety.ca or 1-800-268-7582 ext. 3117 for more details.
 

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Join us at the 2012 Caledon MS Walk Kick-Off!

  
Before lacing up for someone you love at the MS Walk this spring, join us for the Caledon MS Walk Kick-Off at Tom’s Family Restaurant on March 26 at 7:00 pm. This will be a great opportunity to meet other members of the Caledon community who are dedicated to ending MS. So come on out and enjoy free pop and light appetizers!

When:
Monday, March 26
7:00 pm

Where:
Tom’s Family Restaurant
16033 Airport Road
Caledon East

Everyone is welcome! Please share this invitation with your friends, family, co-workers and team members. We look forward to seeing you there!

 Please RSVP to MS Walk coordinator Brianna VanderGriendt at brianna.vandergriendt@mssociety.ca or 1-800-268-7582 ext. 3126.
  

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

The MS Walk takes to the streets of T.O. for a party!

 
This Friday and Saturday, with the luck of the Irish on our side, the MS Walk team is taking to the streets of downtown Toronto for a party to celebrate and promote awareness for this year’s event.   If you’re in the downtown area, be sure to join us and make some noise about the importance of the MS Walk to those living with MS.
 
 
There’s also a chance to help out from home!  When you text MS to 45678 a $5 donation is made to the MS Society to help end MS.  

WHEN and WHERE:       

Friday, March 16
11:30am to 1:30pm
Yonge and Bloor

Saturday, March 17
1 to 3pm
Yonge and Dundas Square

Everyone is welcome! Please share this invitation with your friends, family, co-workers and team members. We hope to see you there!

Register for a 2012 MS Walk in your community by visiting mswalks.ca!

Thursday, March 8, 2012

The MS Walk Honours International Women's Day

 
Today, March 8, the MS Walk team celebrates the economic, political and social strides of women worldwide and throughout history. In its 101st year, International Women’s Day continues to recognize women and press for equality.

We would like to take the opportunity to show our appreciation to women everywhere for your continued support and generosity. Women are more than three times as likely to develop MS than men and we would like to show our support to all women touched by MS today. Thank you to those who have volunteered their time, fundraised to provide services and programs and in support of a cure and who have joined us in the fight to end MS.
  

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Join us at the 2012 Durham Region MS Walk Kick-Off!

 
On behalf of your MS Walk Committee and the Durham Regional Chapter, you’re invited to come out and celebrate the successes of the 2011 MS Walks across Durham Region and get motivated for the upcoming 2012 MS Walks!

On Tuesday, March 20, the Durham Regional Chapter will be hosting a Regional Kick-Off Event at East Side Mario's in the Oshawa Centre.

Appetizers and soft drinks will be provided, as well as a specialized menu for the night with discounted entrees for those who would like to stay for dinner.

This celebration will bring together members of the Durham Regional Chapter Board, MS Walk Committees, MS Society Staff and YOU, our 2012 MS Walkers. It's a great way to meet others participating at the Ajax-Pickering, Uxbridge, Oshawa-Whitby and Bowmanville MS Walks and learn valuable tips on preparing for this year’s event!

When:
Tuesday, March 20
7:00 to 9:00 pm

Where:
East Side Mario's (in the Oshawa Centre)
419 King Street West
Oshawa, ON

Everyone is welcome! Please share this invitation with your friends, family, co-workers and team members. We hope to see you there!

Visit mswalks.ca or contact Elizabeth McCaw at elizabeth.mccaw@mssociety.ca or 905-668-0388 to RSVP or for more details.

Like the Durham Regional Chapter’s Facebook page, and find out more about the event, at: https://www.facebook.com/events/241438625940674/
 

Learn How to Use our Enhanced Online Fundraising System

 
The Enhanced Online Fundraising System via mswalks.ca will help you maximize your fundraising efforts and meet (or beat!) your fundraising goal!

The Participant Centre allows you to:

·         Create your personal fundraising page
·         Share a story about why you walk
·         Monitor and share your fundraising progress
·         Ask your friends and family for pledges or invite them to join your team
·         Upload your email contacts and send thank you messages to your supporters
·         Add personal or team offline gifts to your “My Progress” thermometer
·         Post a photo or video

The Participant Centre is also the best place to find the latest information about your event. Check back regularly to stay up-to-date.

To learn how to use the Fundraising System, you can watch this helpful and informative How-to video!



Have any questions? Visit mswalks.ca, contact your MS Walk Coordinator or ask us on Facebook or Twitter!
 

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Join us at the 2012 Niagara Region’s MS Walk Kick-Off - STREAK for MS!

  
STREAK for MS!

If you’re in the Niagara region, please join us on Saturday, March 10 and Sunday, March 11 for our MS Walk Kick-off event.  Help us raise awareness for multiple sclerosis and the MS Walk by wearing a red hairstreak, which you can buy for $5  at multiple locations throughout the Niagara Region.  All proceeds from this event will go to the MS Society’s Niagara Chapter of Hope to help those in our community living with MS.

This will be a fun opportunity to show your support and to meet others in your community who are helping to end MS.

Everyone is welcome! Please share this invitation with your friends, family, co-workers and team members. We hope to see you there!

Locations:

Walmart Niagara Falls Supercentre
74810 Oakwood Drive, Niagara Falls
Sat, March 10 - 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Sun, March 11 - 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

The Pen Centre – Sears Court
221 Glendale Ave, St. Catharines
Sat, March 10 - 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Sun, March 11 - 11:00 am to 6:00 pm

Seaway Mall – Near Zellers and Cineplex Odeon Cinemas
800 Niagara Street, Welland
Sat, March 10 - 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
Sun, March 11 - 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Visit mswalks.ca or contact MS Walk coordinator Heather Wogden at heather.wogden@mssociety.ca or 1-800-268-7582 ext. 3113 for more details.
 
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