DENVER – The Colorado-Wyoming Chapter, National MS Society will host its Northern Colorado Dinner of Champions on Friday, Sept. 12 at the Embassy Suites in Loveland. At the annual inspirational event, several Northern Colorado community members will be recognized for their outstanding leadership and contributions to the community.
Each year the Chapter presents its Hope Award to community members in recognition of exceptional commitment to philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. The Chapter’s 2014 Hope honorees are Conrad T. and Cheryl Swanson, and OtterBox founders Curt and Nancy Richardson.
Business entrepreneurs and founders of OtterBox, Curt and Nancy Richardson are strong supporters of youth, employee volunteerism and the community.
The couple created the OtterCares Foundation in 2010 to inspire youth to become entrepreneurs and philanthropists who develop innovations to create lasting and impactful change in their communities. The Foundation gives back to the Northern Colorado community through a variety of programs that support youth athletics and education, and scholarships.
Conrad T. and Cheryl Swanson are long time supporters of the National MS Society and have hosted an annual fundraiser at their home for many years. They also support many local and national organizations that serve people living with disabilities and serve as advocates.
The Chapter also presents its MS Champion Award to a person living with MS, is Fort Collins resident Brooke Raymond. Diagnosed at age 34-years-old in 2009, the preschool teacher not willing to let MS keep her from activities she loved. She became involved with the Chapter by starting a Walk MS team in 2010, which ended up being the top Walk MS Fort Collins team that year and has been a top Walk MS fundraiser ever since, raising more than $100,000.
Honored as the Chapter’s Volunteer Rookie of the Year in 2010, today Raymond is stable and works full time as an assistant teacher thanks to taking one of 11 FDA-approved therapies now available. She continues to volunteer and is a spokesperson to raise awareness about MS.
“We are thrilled to be recognizing such remarkable individuals for their commitment to not only the MS community, but for all they do for the entire Northern Colorado community. Through their passion and dedication, these individuals have truly made an impact on the lives of many,” said Susan Barstad, Chapter community outreach manager.
“Working together, each passing day brings us closer to our goal of a world free of MS,” Barstad added.
Tickets for the Northern Colorado Dinner of Champions are $150 per person or $1,500 for a table of 10. For more information on the dinner, sponsorship opportunities or to purchase tickets, contact Susan Barstad at susan.barstad@nmss.org or call 970-494-5986.
For more information, visit www.cureMScolorado.org.