MS Summer Camp is around the corner!

2014 MS Summer Camp registration is now open! Do you know someone age 8-21, who lives with MS? They could be joining us for MS Summer Camp, August 9-16 at Easter Seals Camp Merrywood (near Ottawa).

The camp is fully accessible and staffed with trained counselors. A wide variety of activities include archery, swimming, kayaking, campfires, overnight trips, hiking, arts and crafts, team sports, and much more! Campers are also introduced to peer support leaders who are successful young adults living with MS. This gives campers the opportunity to meet older peers who have followed their dreams despite their MS diagnosis.

For more information about MS Summer Camp visit www.mssociety.ca/camp.

MS Walk of Champions

As a top fundraiser you could experience firsthand the worldwide movement to end MS. MS Walk participants who raise $10,000 or more can choose to attend a Walk MS event hosted by our sister organization the National MS Society (USA).

As a thank you to all of your hard work, the MS Society would provide booking and costs of the flight, one night accommodation and one dinner for two.

Find out more about how you can join us for the MS Walk of Champions visit http://bit.ly/1gjp2yp

I have MS. That's why I walk.

World Poetry Day

Today is World Poetry Day, what better way to start training for the Mandarin MS Walk than with a great walk haiku in mind! (Courtesy of http://bit.ly/1kRNcrR)

On the road again

Heading toward those I love best

Family and friends

 

Mandarin MS Walk fundraising rewards

Do you know about the rewards you could be eligible for when fundraising for the Mandarin MS Walk? Check out the different reward levels at www.mswalks.ca/ontario/rewards .

Become a Mission First club member by donating your reward back to the MS Society to dedicate more funds to research and support.

This is why we walk!

We have come a long way in MS research since the MS Society was founded in 1948. And it’s your fundraising efforts that have led top Canadian researchers to discover significant insights about MS over the years.

With your support we are taking new, important steps in 2014. We are accelerating the pace of research to end MS and are working to translate these insights into life improving therapies. This would not have been possible without you! www.mssociety.ca/research

Fundraising tip Tuesday: Lending a helping hand

Get busy and raise money while helping out others! Advertise your willingness to work in exchange for donations. What about walking your neighbor’s dog, painting your friend’s garage, cleaning windows, offering someone a ride to their dentist appointment or washing your coworker’s car?

Tell everyone you know you’re here to help, while raising money for a great cause.  Use social media to advertise your skills and availability and see your donations grow.

Living with MS - Nancy

TODAY could be your lucky day - Las Vegas anyone?

You have until 11:59pm tonight to register for the Mandarin MS Walk and be eligible to win a fabulous trip to Las Vegas.* It’s easy, visit mswalks.ca to register - maybe the luck of the Irish will be on your side!

This is a one day offer only. Invite friends and family to join you and they too could win.

*Click here for full contest details

Raise $125 or more and receive an official Mandarin MS walk 2014 T-shirt!

 

 

T Shirts are available on a first-come, first serve basis. Check out all of the rewards on offer at mswalks.ca/ontario/rewards

Use the Mandarin MS Walk Participant Centre to your full advantage!

1.      Personalize and share your page - let everyone know why you walk! Check out other participants’ sites for inspiration. From the mswalks.ca/ontario homepage, select any of the locations to see the stories of top fundraisers linked on the right.

2.      Send out emails to everyone you know and make donating just one click away 

3.      Update your fundraising goal to inspire to donors to pledge more!

Shelley has hope

Participant Spotlight: Giselle shares why the Mandarin MS Walk gives her hope

This will be my 11th year doing the Toronto Mandarin MS Walk. I started doing the walk because a friend of mine has MS, and unfortunately her MS has become progressive.

The first year I raised just over $2,100, the next year $3,640, then $5,200. In my 4th year, I decided to raise my goal to $10,000, and have been raising at least that amount ever since! I can't believe that this year I will pass the $100,000 mark (in total), at which point I'm sure I will bawl my eyes out.


I will continue to WALK until there's a cure, it's as simple as that!

Giselle Amann, Top Fundraiser

Shelley has MS, but she also has hope

My name is Shelley and I am 52 years old. I was diagnosed with MS three years ago. I went through many stages in the beginning. First anger, then sadness and then a big question…why me?  The answer has come to me over time. I was diagnosed with MS in order to be involved and help find a cure for this disease.

My hope is that you too will join me as we walk together to put an end to MS.

Without wanting to be, we are on the Mandarin MS Walk together every day. Register today or recruit someone to join you!

-          Shelley, mom and top fundraiser

Fundraising Tip Tuesday: Movie Night

 

Organize a Family Movie Night – a super easy and fun way to kick-start or boost your 2014 Mandarin MS Walk fundraising!
 

-Think about what your guests would like to see.

-Invite family and friends for a small fee that will go towards your fundraising. Why not use your  Participant Centre to send an invitation?

-Sell popcorn or other snacks and/drinks to raise even more!

 

You can also THINK BIG – this has more costs, but also more fundraising potential:

-Find out if a local theatre could be rented – sometimes special packages for fundraisers are available.

-Select a movie that attracts a large group of people.

-Advertise the fundraiser movie with your local newspaper, radio or TV station and don’t forget to post the event on social media.

-You could also ask if the theatre will donate a portion of concession stand items sold to your campaign.

Why Julia walks