2012 MS Walk Highlights ̶ 2012 Timmins MS Walk

In late May, Northern Ontario faced several devastating forest fires. A state of emergency was declared for the city of Timmins. The size of the fires and strong winds led to thick smoke, highway closures and the evacuation of nearby areas. However, this did not deter those in the Timmins community commited to the movement to end MS. On May 27, participants and volunteers made their way out to Gillies Lake for the 3^rd annual Timmins MS Walk. Through the support of local sponsors and members of the community the raised  over $12,000.

Good luck MS Bike Tour – Grand Bend to London participants!

This weekend, cyclists will be gearing up to end MS at Ontario’s largest Tour,  MS Bike Tour – Grand Bend to London. Good luck to all participants and thank you for your efforts in creating a future free of MS!

A & W Crusin' for a Cause Day is fast approaching!

Cruisin’ for a Cause is less than one month away! RSVP today http://on.fb.me/MFCLUB

2012 MS Walk Highlights - Oakville Cupcake Kick-off!

The Oakville MS Walk Committee hosted the first annual Cupcake Kick-off on March 31, 2012 to raise funds and awareness for the 2012 Oakville MS Walk. Setting up outside Garvey’s Fine Men’s Wear on Lakeshore in Downtown Oakville, the Oakville MS Walk organizing committee gave out cupcakes and brochures while accepting donations. The cupcakes were provided by Po Puff Expressions (popuffexpressions.com) and music by DJ Jim Lupo of Black Tie Entertainment.

The reception and support from the Oakville community was overwhelming. Over $700 was raised during the three hour event, with all proceeds going to the Oakville MS Walk. The money and support at the Cupcake Kick-off played a large role in another successful event, where more than 380 participants raised over $166,800 in support of those affected by MS.

Fundraising Prizes and Donation Tax Receipts!

Fundraising prizes are being mailed out! Everyone who donated $20 or more will automatically receive a tax receipt. Donors who submitted their pledges online were immediately issued a tax receipt by email. Donors who submitted their pledges via the participant pledge sheet will be mailed a tax receipt by the end of August.

Thank you all again for lacing up in 2012!

2012 MS Walk Highlights - Simcoe County Bus Tour

Residents of Simcoe County may have noticed a large decaled “MS Walk Bus” as it made its way across Simcoe County on March 24, 2012. On board the bus were several volunteers, participants and organizers of the Barrie, Orillia, New Tecumseth, Midland, and Collingwood MS Walks! The ”MS Walk Bus” stopped in each community where they met MS Walk participants and celebrated the upcoming MS Walks. Keep your eyes open for the bus next year as it may tour Simcoe County for the second year in a row!

St. Catharines woman raffles off a chance to fly high in the sky, to raise funds for MS.



Photo of Elizabeth taken from her blog

“Elizablog” http://www.lizzymcfly.com/

Elizabeth Murphy was diagnosed with MS in 2005. Although she suffers every day with the multiple symptoms brought on by this disease, she is determined not to let it stop her from doing the things she loves. An avid pilot, Elizabeth, who also goes by ‘Lizzy McFly’, flies above each of the Niagara Region MS Walks, taking place in St. Catharines, Niagara Falls and Welland, in her Cessna 150 Aerobat plane named Vyctor. “Flying overhead of the walks gives me such a rush when I see the crowds of people who have come out to support this cause. Seeing and meeting other people with the same illness, really gives me a great sense of community,” says Elizabeth.

Among her many efforts to raise money leading up to the MS Walk, including a fundraiser with former NHL hockey player Marcel Dionne, Elizabeth also raffled off flight giveaways, allowing those who donated a chance to fly with her. In 2011, she raised $5000. Elizabeth also writes a blog that follows her life and the challenges of living with MS.

Elizabeth raffled off a chance to fly with her again this year in order to raise funds for the thousands of Canadians suffering from this devastating disease. 

Thank you Elizabeth ‘Lizzy McFly” for your continued dedication to ending MS!

Reminder: Pre-register for a chance to win $500 towards your 2013 fundraising total!

Don’t forget that you can pre-register for a 2013 Ontario MS Walk online right now, by visiting http://mswalks.ca and selecting your location. If you register before July 15, you will have the chance to get a head start on your fundraising by being entered into a draw to win $500 towards your 2013 fundraising total – courtesy of Mandarin Restaurants.

Pre-register today and lace up for someone you love in 2013! http://mswalks.ca

Good luck MS Bike Tour- Prince Edward County participants!

This weekend, cyclists will be gearing up to end MS at the inaugural MS Bike Tour – Prince Edward County. Good luck to all participants and thank you for your efforts in creating a future free of MS!

2012 MS Walk Highlights-Barrie MS Walk Kick Off

The 2^nd annual “Media Bull Riding Challenge” held at the Ranch in Barrie, brought together supporters and participants of the MS Walk this past April. Representatives from CTV, the Barrie Advance, and the Barrie Examiner came to kick-off the Barrie MS Walk and to see who would be the reigning champion of this year’s challenge. It was a great night full of laughs, live music and friendly competition, as everyone looked forward to “lacing up for someone they love” at the 2012 Barrie MS Walk!

A&W Cruisin’ for a Cause Day is fast approaching!

On Thursday, August 23, for every Teen Burger sold at any A&W restaurant in Canada, $1 will go to support the mission of the MS Society of Canada. A&W will also generously donate 50 cents for each RSVP received on the Cruisin’ for a Cause Facebook Event (up to $20,000). Be sure to RSVP and come out on August 23!

Visit http://on.fb.me/KYbGOj to RSVP!

Support the MS Bike Tour and become a volunteer today!

Do you know someone who wants to support the MS Society, but cannot ride in the MS Bike Tour? Do you have family or friends who support you when you ride? Do you know someone who needs volunteer hours, but doesn’t quite know how to go about getting them? Do you know someone who wants to make a difference?

If you have answered yes to any of these questions, then you know someone who would make a great volunteer for the MS Society. We are always looking for interested individuals to join our growing volunteer network.

There are so many ways to volunteer, and all are flexible based on your schedule, interests and abilities. Do you like being a first point of contact? Help out with our registration to get cyclists signed in and ready to ride! Do you like being in charge? Assist with parking and logistics, telling everyone where to go, and what to do next. Are you a supporter and encourager? Volunteer at a checkpoint, or at the finish line to congratulate everyone who rides through.

The MS Bike Tour could not operate without the help of volunteers. If you’d like to join this team of dedicated individuals, please contact us for more information or to sign up today.

Thank you for supporting the MS Bike Tour!

Nicole Dube                                                                                      
Coordinator, Volunteer Resources                                          
Acton to Waterloo, Niagara and Toronto                              
1-800-268-7582 ext. 3111                                                             
volunteer@mssociety.ca