Sep 14, 2009
Co-Chairs Breathe Excitement Into Annual MS Dinner Of Champions
Sean O'Leary, Communications Specialist
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Co-Chairs Breathe Excitement Into Annual MS Dinner Of Champions
GREENWICH, Conn. – There is a palpable energy that accompanies the annual MS Dinner of Champions event, created thanks to the devotion of Terrance Walsh and Mary Rauscher.
Walsh, of Trumbull, and Rauscher, of Weston, are two of the committed volunteers at the forefront of organizing and launching an event that has raised more than $6 million over three decades.
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| Weston resident Mary Rauscher, far left, and Trumbull resident Terrance Walsh, far right, have combined to volunteer for the annual MS Dinner of Champions event for 32 years. From left, Rauscher, CBS News reporter Armen Keteyian, New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, New York Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain, Bruce Tobin and Walsh pose during the 2008 MS Dinner of Champions. Rauscher, Tobin and Walsh served as co-chairs for last year’s event. |
The National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter will host the 31st annual MS Dinner of Champions Thursday, Nov. 12, at the Hyatt Regency in Old Greenwich. The event honors outstanding corporate leaders and local and national sports figures who have made a significant contribution to the community at large.
Walsh and Rauscher are co-chairs for this year’s event and also serve as Connecticut Chapter board of trustees members.
As he has for the past two decades, Walsh will be on hand to make sure every guest experiences a night they will not soon forget. He was initially invited to the MS Dinner of Champions in 1988 as a result of his corporate communications expertise.
“I had been asked to attend the event and asked to share my thoughts on how to improve the event,” revealed Walsh. “I decided quickly that this was the kind of event of which I wanted to become involved. From the moment I got involved, my goal was to make it a memorable experience.”
After attending the event, Walsh remained involved to influence its improvement and because he enjoyed the camaraderie between the committee members.
“I really enjoyed working with everyone on the committee,” he shared. “It was a perfect opportunity to join a worthwhile cause and have a chance to make a measurable difference.”
The evolution of the annual event has included the implementation of video biographies of honorees and the elimination of what Walsh described as a barrier between the honorees and guests.
“The honorees, especially the sports honorees, were up on a platform while the guests were situated off in the distance,” he explained. “I wanted to bring the guests and the honorees closer together to create a unique, interactive environment.”
Sports honorees now sit at tables with event guests at the dinner. Walsh credits the honorees with consistently being gracious and approachable to guests, whether it is signing an autograph or posing for a photo. Past honorees include Steve Young, Joe Namath, Frank Gifford and Billie Jean King. Occasionally, honorees have gone above and beyond, shared Walsh.
“Last year, we had New York Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman personally get involved with the live auction,” he said. “It’s one thing to get tickets to a Yankees or Mets game. But it’s another when Brian Cashman is offering you an opportunity to go behind the scenes or take a personal tour of Yankee Stadium.”
The people living with MS that Walsh has met during his two decades of involvement continue to inspire and motivate him.
“You start to understand how events like this can change a person’s life,” said Walsh, who lives in Trumbull with his wife, Sharyn, and their three children. “There are so many people across the state who benefit greatly from all types of client services and it’s very rewarding to know that you’re helping out that cause.”
Rauscher has been an integral part of the event’s continued success as an active committee member for the past dozen years, including several years as chair or co-chair.
She initially attended the Dinner of Champions in 1996 when the CEO of her former company was being honored. During that year, Rauscher was a committee member primarily to serve as a liaison between the Connecticut Chapter and her company.
“The event and the process made a strong impression on me,” said Rauscher, describing why she subsequently decided to remain involved. “Learning more about the disease and that it affected young adults around my own age inspired me to keep going.”
Those living with MS have left a deep and permanent impression on Rauscher.
“The courage and perseverance of people living with MS is inspiring to say the least,” she said. “The ability to make a difference through this event has encouraged me to find other ways to get involved and I’ve met some great people along the way.”
The Dinner of Champions event has grown monumentally in the past 20 years. In 1988, the event raised $156,000. Last year, the event raised $311,000, an amazing increase of 99 percent. Attendance has jumped from about 150 guests 20 years ago to a guest list now approaching 500.
Rauscher is committed to fundraising for the Connecticut Chapter throughout the year. She has recruited family, friends and co-workers to participate with her at the annual Walk MS and one-day Bike MS events for the past decade.
The contributions of Rauscher and Walsh are greatly appreciated by the Connecticut Chapter – its members and its staff.
“Through the years, Terry and Mary have each volunteered countless hours in support of the MS Dinner of Champions serving as the event’s chairs and co-chairs,” said Connecticut Chapter President Lisa Gerrol. “The combined efforts of these two incredibly dedicated individuals have directly contributed to the continued success of this event, which has now raised more than $6 million to benefit local programs and services and critical research.”
The 2009 MS Dinner of Champions features an awards reception, inspiring speakers, extensive silent auction and unique live auction experiences on Thursday, Nov. 12 at the Hyatt Regency in Old Greenwich.
For more information or to register, please contact Kim Maloney, development manager for the Connecticut Chapter, at 860-913-2550, ext. 334, or kmaloney@ctfightMS.org.
9/14/09
Sean O'Leary
Communications Specialist
National MS Society - Connecticut Chapter
659 Tower Avenue, First Floor
Hartford, CT 06112
tel 860.913.2550, ext. 249
soleary@ctfightsMS.org
www.ctfightsMS.org