2012 Funding the Mission Award (National) & 2011 Sylvie of the Year Award
Jeannie Unruh
Jeannie Unruh has served the Kentucky – Southeast Indiana Chapter for more than 20 years. In 1987 Jeannie joined the MS Movement to fulfill not only the Society’s mission, but her own: to “…show up to life each day.” With the wisdom that there will always be those less fortunate, she insures she takes every measure, makes every effort and never backs down from the mission of helping others while creating a world free of MS.
2012 Sylvie of the Year Award
Jeff Hamilton
Jeff Hamilton has faithfully served on the board for over 16 years. He has participated in numerous committees that included Bike MS, Governance, Advocacy, Finance, Walk MS and many others. Most recently, Jeff has been appointed to Chair the Regional Leadership Council at the national level. He has been a top fund raiser, and a participant in our annual two-day Bike MS event. He is a dedicated advocate of the MS movement and those affected by MS. He lives the MS mantra of “a World Free of MS” and actively recruits others to “Join the Movement”. His patient and loving nature has taken the Chapter to heights never seen before.
2012 Martha Montgomery Tribute Award
Brian Ellis, Rena Holmes, Laura Houchens, Teresa Guess, Keith & Tanya Johnson, and Kory Wilcoxson
Volunteer Spotlight:
Spring 2013
Daniel Carper
Daniel Carper, an adventurous 12 year old, has set his mind to riding in the 2013 Bike MS. Not only is he going to ride, but his fund raising goal is $1,300! However, he doesn’t plan to use only his charm and wit to reach the goal! When asked “Why ride?” Daniel says, “To support my family members who have MS and find a cure.” He has started Cords for a Cause which designs, braids, and sells paracord bracelets for $5, with all proceeds going to his Bike MS fund. With many Cords for a Cause events before the ride, he will surely surpass his goal. “How far will you ride?” he replies, “I want to do the 65 mile route!” He invites everyone to get on their bikes and join him on the road in June to help find a cure and Bike MS! To purchase your very own bracelet send an email to parabrace.ms@gmail.com.
Winter 2012
Abbey Gooch
Abbey Gooch’s mother was diagnosed with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis in 1997. All her life she has seen the devastating effects that MS can have on a family, however she knows she wouldn’t be the same person today if her mother did not receive this diagnosis. Currently, she is a freshman at the University of Louisville studying dental hygiene. Once on campus she noticed that U of L did not have a student organization related to MS. Encouragement from her sorority sisters of Kappa Delta led her to start a new student organization - Students for Multiple Sclerosis Awareness. Now, thousands of students have the opportunity to get involved in the Chapter.
Fall 2012
Teresa Guess
Teresa Guess was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis eleven years ago. She is a Registered Nurse with twenty years experience and a Multiple Sclerosis Certified Nurse since 2008. She works PRN as a Nurse Educator teaching MS patients injection training. Teresa is a Self-Help Group Leader in Paducah, KY. She wants to make sure no one with MS feels as though they are fighting their MS battle alone. She believes that together we will make a difference in the lives of many families and individuals.
Summer 2012
Terry Netherton
Terry has been in the restaurant industry for 22 years. He was diagnosed with MS in November of 2008. He continually pushes forward through his disease, motivating everyone around him to never give up. He created an app for Android, iPhone, iPad, and Kindle that tests the memory and speed skills of a server. The app is called “So You Think You’re A Server.” Part of the proceeds of every download go to the National MS Society. This is Terry’s way of spreading the word about MS and giving back at the same time.
Spring 2012
Tim Allen
Tim Allen, Manufacturing Engineer, facilitator of the Bowling Green KY MS Self-Help Group and the Hartford KY MS Self-Help Group, and dedicated fundraiser, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2010. He champions local assistance programs to provide services for local people that have MS, including; home visitation, building of wheelchair ramps, and finding local resources to fill the needs of MS patients. Tim’s motto is “to leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of fulfilling the needs of my MS brothers and sisters.” He has participated in Walk MS: Bowling Green and rode in Bike MS in 2012.
