A Shout Out to Challenge Walk MS Volunteers

In case you didn't see it, Challenge Walk MS volunteers Pat Heller and Sloth I were featured in the December and January editions of the Wisconsin Chapter's Volunteer e-newsletter.

Here's part of what Pat had to say about volunteering: 

“Six years ago, in the MS connection magazine, I read about the first Challenge Walk that was to be held in Door County. I thought this was something I could do to help raise money for research and programs for those living with MS in Wisconsin. I recruited my husband, sister, and aunt and uncle. The five of us raised $6,000 that first year and provided five rest stops that weekend. We were hooked. Over the past six years our team, the Multiple Screwballs, has grown and we have raised over $200,000.

“Our team enjoys coming together every year for the walk. It is a time for celebration and renewal in our commitment to make the world a better place for those living with MS."


And here is part of what Sloth said:

"I’ve been involved with special events for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for about 15 years now. As you probably know, the Society organizes numerous sporting events to raise money for the battle against MS: Bike MS, Walk MS and many others. Without those cyclists and walkers out there raising money and creating the momentum, we wouldn't have much of a fundraiser. But you know what really makes these events tick? The volunteers!

"Volunteering is of course a bit of work. But it can also be incredibly fun and – especially for the uninitiated – an inspiring job. ...When you see what some folks are capable of – even in the face of major obstacles – it makes setting up a rest stop pretty easy. Or assisting with check-in. Or simply cheering on our athletes as they approach the finish line. Whatever your job may be, know that it has a real, visceral effect on the fight against multiple sclerosis … and brings us one step closer to a cure."

For those who don't know, Sloth volunteers as a Support and Gear (SAG) bike rider for Challenge Walk MS as part of his volunteer team, Team N3kk1d, which has raised $10,000 for MS.

Crew and super crew members are important to the success of each year's event. Thanks to everyone who volunteers -- in whatever way, shape or form -- to support Challenge Walk MS walkers!

Ways to Say Thanks

Thanking those who donated to your Challenge Walk MS fundraising goal is important, especially if you plan to ask them for their support again next year. Sending thank you cards that incorporate photos from the weekend is one way a number of Challenge Walk MS participants choose to show their gratitude, and websites such as Shutterfly, Snapfish, Walgreens and Walmart offer easy ways to create cards along with a variety of design options. Here are three samples from this year:

Message: Thank you for supporting me in the MS Challenge Walk 2013!

Message: With your help, our team raised $50,000. 

Message: Thank you for your donation to the National MS Society! This year, Team Marty & Clyde & Nancy raised $7,108! That money will help fund research and brings us one step closer to a world free of multiple sclerosis.

What is your favorite way to thank those who made a donation?

The 2013 Challenge Walk is Over…Now What?

by Marian Rezel

Celebrate and share pictures

• Send your supporters a thank you card. Include how much $$ the walk raised or how much $$ you or your team raised. Include a photo from the event. Supporters really appreciate this and are more likely to support you next year. 

Members of Marian's team at the
Challenge Walk MS 2013 finish line.

Plan for next year

• On our way home from Door County to Milwaukee in Car #1, two of my daughters brainstormed ideas for a rest-stop for next year. Meanwhile in Car #2, my other daughter and I talked about what went best and what we could improve on for next year.   
• Plan fund-raising ideas for next year. I am back at my sewing machine, filling orders for hand-made purses and aprons. I’m hoping to actually get ahead this year and open an Etsy shop on-line. We are also finishing the final hand knit hat orders for Tadpoles in Delafield, Wis. The lovely shop owners have been supporting our mission for the past three years; stop in if you are in the Delafield area.
  
• We are also planning a major fund-raising event in the Milwaukee area, more to come on that as soon as it develops. 

Keep connected

• Read the blog, go ahead and post a comment or two, too (or is it tu-tu?). We love hearing back from you.
  
• Create a Facebook group for your team. It’s an easy way to share thoughts and ideas and plan fundraising.
  
• Participate in another MS event. My girls and I participate in Walk MS each spring and sponsored a rest stop at the Bike MS: Best Dam Bike Ride last summer (awesome, going to do that again).  Don’t forget the MS Snowmobile Tour January 23-25, 2014.  

INSPIRE HOPE......check!

by Jackie Piper

I have to say I really loved our Sunday T-shirt for this year's Door County Challenge Walk MS. When I unfolded it in the cabin on Thursday night, I thought, “Cool, I like that message.”  And then, as the weekend progressed, I thought, no, this isn't just a cool T-shirt. This is the perfect message to express what Challenge Walk is all about. The dictionary defines hope as “a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.” Here is how I define hope, brought to you by Challenge Walk 2013:

I HOPE YOU CHEER FOR ME:  What an amazing job the volunteers who man the rest stops do. On Saturday, at a particularly painful point in the walk, a chocolate candy necklace and row of silly cheerleaders made all the difference.

Jackie at the 49-mile marker on
Day 3 of Challenge Walk MS 2013

I HOPE I HAVE FUN:  What's more fun than an entire team in orange evening gowns and menswear? I really can't explain how much fun we all have doing this ridiculously long walk, but we all do.

I HOPE I MAKE A DIFFERENCE:  OK. Here's my theory: Someday there will be a research project funded by a grant with money from the Challenge Walk that will find a cure for MS. That money will be raised by individuals who collected money in dozens of different ways. Maybe someone's $10 donation will be the difference between a $500,000 grant and one for $499,990. That walker who made the effort to ask for that donation will have made the biggest difference in the world. It's just my theory, but every time we raise one dollar for MS, we make a difference.

I HOPE I FEEL LOVED:  The group hug on Sunday afternoon – what a visible way to show the people who are dealing with this disease every day that we care. 

I HOPE I CAN HOPE:  On Sunday at about mile 48 I encountered a couple who were walking alone together and we struck up a conversation. It turns out that she has MS and has been on the same medication as my son-in-law since 2001 without a relapse in all that time. Wow! I felt at that moment, “So this is why I came”...to listen to a story that inspires hope for Dylan who was diagnosed just four years ago.  

And so we take a little breather now before we roll up our shirt sleeves and get to work on the business of fighting MS at Challenge Walk 2014. 

I HOPE I see you all there.

Staying Motivated

by Jill Jones

For our “Survivors” team, staying motivated is one of our strengths. We have many people on our team that are energetic and motivated people to begin with. Our team captain, Heidi, sends us many emails and has a Facebook page just for our team to communicate. She keeps that energy flowing and keeps us all organized. 

We have team apparel that we can choose to buy that Heidi organizes for us. Each day we decide what to wear and then we all look similar, which can be a lot of fun. Many of us like to wear crazy socks and we bring all of the orange we can and have fun getting ready each day. 

Throughout the walk our team has a lot of fun supporting each other. You might hear us start cheers or singing along the way. We like to hum songs and then have our teammates guess what song it is. At each mile marker, our team takes a picture with whoever happens to be by the person with the camera. 

Challenge Walk MS, for everyone who takes the time to fundraise and participate, is motivation enough: WE ALL WANT TO FIND A CURE FOR MS! 

What I’m Packing for Challenge Walk

by Jill Jones

As you probably know, Challenge Walk MS is rain or shine, so to be prepared for the weather is a must. Also, since it starts earlier in the day, it can be chilly to start and get warmer as the day progresses. Each day last year I wore layers that I could put on or take off as the weather changed. 

When it rained last year, I had a poncho type raincoat that worked really well. This year, I am looking to purchase more of a rain suit that is a little lighter in weight. I feel this may be easier to walk in. When it rained last year and it was a little chilly, my team wore cotton gloves with plastic gloves over them to keep them dry. That really worked for me. Also, a hooded sweatshirt and jacket was a must for me to keep my ears covered.   

[Click here for more packing list ideas.]

What are your Challenge Walk MS "dress for success" tips?

My Shoes

by Jill Jones

Shoes are an important part of the Challenge Walk because they will determine how you feel each day of the walk. Before last year’s walk, I decided to go to a place where they would analyze my walk and determine the best shoes for me.  I knew that the shoes I would then purchase would cost more than just buying them elsewhere, but I thought it would be worth it. After the walk, I would agree that it was well worth the extra price. 

A funny story about my shoes is the day I bought them I was meeting with my brother and sister for supper that night. I had just come from the shoe store and proudly brought my box of shoes into the house to show them off. When I looked down at my sister’s feet, she was wearing the exact same shoes that I had just purchased. She had also done a foot strike analysis at a different store and ended up with the exact same pair of shoes. How funny is that? 

I would also invest in the moisture wicking socks or dri fit socks that you can purchase. They keep your feet dry and especially on a rainy day, your feet will thank you for it. 

This year I am going to wear those same shoes for the second year. I use them strictly for the Challenge Walk and training, so I am hoping that my feet will stay “happy” with me and I will not have to visit the excellent medical staff that we have at the Challenge Walk.  

What story do you have about your shoes?