The (Orange) Fashion Guy

by Jackie Piper

My husband isn’t exactly known for being dapper. By that I mean he isn’t really a fashion conscious guy. To be blunt ... some mornings when he comes down to breakfast and I see what he’s wearing, I spit out my toast. Bless his heart. He also, very endearingly, gets attached to certain pieces of clothing. If he loves a shirt, no effort on my part to discourage him from wearing it DAILY (like hiding it at the bottom of the pile) makes any difference. Over the 41 years of our marriage, his style deficit and addiction to a particular shirt has made for some interesting commentary ... as in, “Are you wearing that gold tank top with the little whales on it AGAIN??”.

However, I am happy to report that my husband’s latest shirt addiction is none other than an awesome orange polo shirt with the Challenge Walk logo on the front that I bought last year at the Challenge Walk Silent Auction. I’m not sure who donated it (Pat Heller, maybe?) but I need to track down the donor and give that person a big hug!

If you are a first time walker, you are in for a treat on Challenge Walk weekend. You not only get to walk 50 miles, fight MS, and hang out with the greatest folks you’ll ever meet ... you get to shop! Right now dozens of participants and volunteers are working on amazing donations for the Silent Auction held during the weekend. You’ll get to pick from gift certificates, decor, handmade items, themed baskets, and (if you’re lucky!) really sweet MS apparel. So bring your checkbook and get ready to bid on some very cool stuff. All the proceeds will go to the National MS Society, of course.

On the orange shirt front, I’m happy to report that the Orange Shirt goes with everything, whether it really does or not. The quality is amazing too. The color hasn’t faded one bit even after laundering every third day! And, if there is another orange shirt in the auction this year in the right size, I WILL be the high bidder. Then, the Fashion Guy can wear a bright orange MS Challenge Walk shirt every day!

Important Deadlines and Details for This Year's Challenge Walk

It all comes together next weekend as more than 200 walkers, Super Crew and Crew members gather for the 8th annual Challenge Walk MS, September 18-20. If you’re already registered to be one of them, read on for important details and deadlines below.

Get a Challenge Walk Tech Tee
A special wearable item is sold in conjunction with each year’s Challenge Walk MS. This year’s item is a long sleeve tech tee – perfect for mid-season wear with 100% polyester fabric with micro-mélange body, moisture management, decorative top stitching and thumbholes (on women’s version only). Features the Challenge Walk MS logo. Available in sizes XS-3X for women and S-3X for men. Cost: $25. Hurry – the item is only available thru TOMORROW (September 9). Click here to order. 

Rookie Call
What should you pack? What should you expect? Find out how to get the most from the experience by being part of the conference call for first-time participants TOMORROW -- Wednesday, September 9 -- at 6 p.m. CDT. Dial 888-279-3775 and use code 4804#.

Room Payments are Due
Lodging payments are due by Friday, September 11 to secure your rooming reservations. Contact Jamie Baker at jamie.baker@nmss.org or 262-369-4435 to make your payment.







Last Call for Photos and Statements
Photos and quotes describing why you’ve joined Challenge Walk MS 2015 were due last month. If you missed the deadline but want to be included in the weekend displays, email your photo and one or two short sentences describing why you’ve joined Challenge Walk MS to Nichole Shaffer at nichole.shaffer@nmss.org no later than Friday, September 11. (Photo must be 1 MB or larger, headshot preferred. Email them to Nichole Shaffer.)

Turn in Your Silent Auction Items
Planning to contribute items for the Silent Auction? Send your item descriptions (including retail value and who should receive credit) to Jamie Baker at jamie.baker@nmss.org by Friday, September 11, then drop off the items at Alpine Resort when you check in on September 17. 

Treat Yourself to a Massage
Register by noon on Wednesday, September 16 for a $30, 30-minute post-walk performance massage at Alpine Resort on Friday or Saturday (or both).

Plan to Shop the Silent Auction and Cash & Carry Boutique
Come prepared to bid on art, crafts, gift baskets and more donated by fellow participants during the weekend. A “cash and carry” section will also be available for items under $50 that can be purchased outright. Proceeds benefit the National MS Society, and the final sale amounts are applied toward the donor’s Challenge Walk fundraising total. 


Rookie Meeting
First-time participants, you’re not alone. There will be nearly 50 other rookies at this year’s event. Meet them and get all your last minute questions answered during a special meeting for first-time participants at Alpine Lodge on Thursday evening (September 17). Meet at 7 p.m. near the check-in area.


Donation Due Date
The Promise to Pay form extends your fundraising deadline to September 25. All forms should have been submitted already but if you haven’t turned yours in, call the Wisconsin Chapter office at 262-369-4400 (toll free 800-242-3358 from inside Wisconsin) this week. All donations must be turned in by September 25.


Know Where You're Going ... and What You're Doing 
The Friday, Saturday and Sunday route maps and weekend itinerary are available online now. (Routes and itinerary subject to change.)