Lori “Challenge Woman” Kolosowsky poses
with team member Sally Eubanks, Watertown Rotary Club guest
John Blackman and Watertown Rotary Club
President Diane Kennedy.

 Challenge Walk MS Team:CanMS members Sally Eubanks and Lori Kolosowsky attended the Watertown Rotary Club's meeting on Aug 8 to promote Challenge Walk MS and MS Awareness. Sally and Lori are participating in their 4th Challenge Walk MS. Lori was diagnosed with MS in 1999 and is a MS Volunteer Community Ambassador. She uses the "Challenge Woman" costume to get her point across with humor.

Let the fundraising begin!

My first year as a Challenge Walker I thought, “How in the world am I going to raise $1,500?” Jill, my Team Captain, said start by making a list of 30 people that you know who might donate $50. I started making my list, and then I hesitated. I was concerned about the awkwardness of asking friends and family for money. Today, two years later, I am eager to talk about Challenge Walk MS and request a donation from anyone who will listen!

What did I learn that changed my mind? Two very important lessons.

First, one of the goals of Challenge Walk MS is to spread awareness about MS. In order to do that, you have to start talking about MS. More than once I have heard, “You’re walking for MS? That’s great! My mom/friend/professor/co-worker/aunt has MS. Thanks so much for what you’re doing.”

Last year our team did a brat fry at a local grocery store. Our profit was a little disappointing, but we did a great job of informing the community about MS. We had posters up on our booth and had fliers available for people who had questions about the disease and about the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. MS is a disease that people know little about and one of our jobs as Challenge Walkers is to help inform our communities.

The second thing I’ve learned about fundraising is a little obvious, but here it goes: people can’t donate if you don’t ask them. I was nervous when I asked to speak to the owner of Fantastic Sam’s in West Bend about donating and participating in our team’s Pin Up program. She was wonderful though. She said her store would be glad to run the Pin Up campaign and that she would match whatever her customers donated. I’m really excited about getting Fantastic Sam’s involved with Team Marty and Clyde and I can’t believe I almost didn’t ask because I was scared.

So my advice to first time Challenge Walkers (or veteran Challenge Walkers) is to talk about Challenge Walk to everyone who will listen and to make a list of at least 30 people and 10 businesses that you can ask for donations. You’ll be happy you did.



Anne Rogalski, Fran McLaughlin
and Nicole Youngstrom

 Welcome New Challenge Walk MS Participants

Challenge Walk 2011 will be my fourth time experiencing the incredible beauty of Door County in the fall, as well as enjoying what I consider hours of very entertaining conversations with my two walking companions: my sister Nicole, who makes the trip every year from North Carolina; and Fran, a friend I made the first year of the walk, who also happens to have MS.

For those who have been involved with the walk in the past, you probably recognize the three of us as “the ones who skip lunch to beat their personal best.”  FYI: not only do we have photos to prove otherwise, we also typically gain 3-5 pounds over the course of the weekend … the meals and rest stop treats are irresistible! You would think walking 50 miles in three days would make up for the increased calories. We just keep telling ourselves it is “muscle weight.”

For the 30-plus people joining Challenge Walk MS for the first time this year: welcome! As an individual living with MS, I also want to say thank you for donating your time, energy and talent to bring us closer to finding a cure.

At times the task of raising $1,500 seems daunting. However, over the years I have accepted the fact that when I ask, the worst that can happen is the individual will say no. On the rare occasions that someone does turn my request down; they do so with regret, and then find a way to say yes the following year.

I officially kicked off my training yesterday at Walk Wisconsin, a non-competitive marathon in Stevens Point. My husband, a non-walker, and I agreed to split the difference; we walked 16 miles, ending at our front door. Typically I walk four miles a day, with increased mileage on the weekends. I should probably also mention that the weekends include a mandatory Starbucks “walk through” with my “Walking BFF” Marian.

Good luck to all! May the wind be at your back and the donations in your online thermometer!

Anne Rogalski

Unofficial start of summer

 

Jill Hassenfelt and
Amy Mangan-Fischer



Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer. People bring out their grills, start their summer yard work, and tell themselves that now that the weather is nice they're going to start exercising more. The last two years Memorial Day weekend has also been the beginning of "Challenge Walk Season" for me. It's time to buy a new pair of walking shoes, water bottle, and new sweat absorbent socks. It's time to write down the recommended mileage from the MS website in my calendar so I know how far I need to walk each day. It's time to start addressing my fundraising letter to my friends, family, and coworkers and it's time to start asking businesses for donations and if they'll participate in Team Marty and Clyde's pin-up program. Yes, it's officially Challenge Walk season.

This will be my third year participating in the MS Challenge Walk in Door County. I got involved because my best friend's dad has MS and she decided to start Team Marty and Clyde, in honor of Marty her dad and Clyde his cane. This year my sister, who lives in Alabama, will be flying up to participate for her first time. Laura decided to get involved after hearing just how inspiring the weekend is. There's something motivational about knowing that I'm walking, not just to lose weight and look better in those jeans, but that my walking is making a difference in the lives of people. Every time I open up my mailbox and see a check for the MS society, I get a rush. It's this amazing feeling that I have done something to improve the world.

So this summer, I encourage everyone to get outside walking (or inside.. treadmills work too) and start preparing for this year's MS Challenge Walk. I must warn you though, it's addicting.

Amy Mangan-Fischer
Member of Team Marty and Clyde