Fundraising

Thank you to our sponsors!

Please view our list of Walk MS Sponsors.

The Golden Circle

Golden Circle logo In 2010, the Greater New England Chapter launched a donor-focused program to bring volunteers and donors in closer connection with our mission. The Golden Circle campaign is designed to recognize and honor individuals who contribute a minimum of $1,000 to the Society. With Golden Circle membership one can look forward to:

Unmatched access to breaking research news
Invitations throughout the year to exclusive Golden Circle events
Subscriptions to both Momentum Magazine and MS Connections
Invitations to participate in National research calls and conferences
Recognition as a leader in the MS Movement

The Golden Circle is the rallying point for individuals and families who want to make a significant contribution to help end MS. As you think about ways to Join the Movement, we hope Golden Circle membership is part of your plan. Your annual Golden Circle membership gift of $1000 or greater helps us meet the 2011 research commitment and demonstrates your shared commitment to building a community of leaders working together for a world free of MS.

Please feel free to contact me at 781-693-5150 or jonathan.nierman@nmss.org if you wish to become a member, have any questions about Golden Circle, or wish to learn more about other giving opportunities at the Chapter.

Students conduct penny drive for MS

Auburn, ME — Throughout the month of April sixth graders in Ms. Arellano’s and Mr. Coleman’s classrooms at Sherwood Heights Elementary School held a penny drive to help raise money for Multiple Sclerosis.

Students conduct penny drive for MS The penny drive was the idea of Koby Humason-Fulgham, who has been organizing penny drives at Sherwood Heights for four years to help raise money to support the fight against Multiple Sclerosis. Each year Koby participates in the annual MS Walk and this year his friend, Noah Breau, wanted to walk with Koby, so the penny drive quickly turned into a competition between Koby’s class and Noah’s class.

To kickoff the competition, Koby’s grandmother, Marcia Akers (who was diagnosed with MS in 1996), came to the school to speak with the classrooms about Multiple Sclerosis and the MS Walk. Marcia spoke about the disease and answered questions from the students. She also informed the classes that the winning classroom would receive an ice cream party in appreciation of their hard work.

When the canisters were collected and counted, $391.22 was raised between the two classrooms. The winning classroom won the competition by a margin of less than $25.

Money from the Sherwood Heights Elementary School penny drive was turned in by Koby Humason-Fulgham and Noah Breau, pictured, at the Multiple Sclerosis Walk held April 30 in Lewiston.

Ride to be Cool

Ride to be Cool EXETER, Maine — The action in the horse arena was hot but the cause was cool at the state championship show of the Maine National Barrel Horse Association. A special fundraising event during the competition on Sunday raised hundreds of dollars in support of Mainers suffering with multiple sclerosis, a potentially disabling autoimmune disorder that affects mobility, sensation, vision and stamina.

For many people, symptoms of MS worsen in hot weather. The fundraiser was aimed at providing air conditioners and cooling vests with pockets for ice packs to Mainers affected with the disorder.

Carolyn Richens, who was diagnosed with MS at the age of 27, is the driving force behind the Ride to be Cool event at this year’s show, which raised money to help purchase 14 air conditioners and 12 cooling vests for Mainers with MS.

MS patients learned of the opportunity at local support groups, and many of those selected to receive an air conditioner or vest traveled to the Exeter stables of Christina Waters and Larry Fettinger on Chamberlain Meeting House Road from as far away as Lewiston and Brunswick to accept their gifts.

Andy Michaud, who coordinates a local MS support and informational group, accepted cooling vests for two friends in the Lewiston area who have MS.

Zumba

Zumba fundraiser 2011 Zumba for a Cure of MS took place July 23, 2011 in Springfield, Massachusetts. Annamaria’s daughter was diagnosed with MS three years ago and Annamaria decided to volunteer and do something to help our organization. $1,000 has been raised to benefit the National MS Society. Jessie, Gloria, Shauna and Lizet, Zumba instructors from the Springfield area, donated their time and talent. DJ Matt and Christine Asarese his mom handled the raffle table. Many of their friends and family donated their time to make the event successful. Annamaria says, “she looks forward to next year!!!”

Cape Cod Getaway

What a ride! The 2011 Bike MS: Cape Cod Getaway, presented by EMD Serono and Pfizer, was a great success. More than 2,000 riders registered to travel 150 (or 175) miles from our new start location at the UMASS Boston Campus to Provincetown, raising awareness and funds for MS education, support, advocacy, services and research.

Cape Cod Getaway 2011, bridge descent Three teams grew to new levels surpassing 100 riders each, with the presenting sponsor EMD Serono team “Reason to Ride” at nearly 230. Liam’s Lucky Charms was the top fundraising team at almost $200,000, with 118 riders. Four other teams raised more than $100,000 each, including second year team FitWerx/MPB with 78 riders. Corporate teams continue to grow with new teams from Johnson & Johnson, Mercer, Nolij and Roche Brothers joining the veteran corporate teams. In total we had 134 teams whose efforts produced 81 percent of funds raised.

We could not have put on this event without the help and support from our generous sponsors, including: presenting sponsor - EMD Serono and Pfizer, PowerBar, and additional sponsorship from Hannaford, South Shore Music Circus, Premier Education Group, Data Associates, Wachusett Brewing Company, Rack Attack, Chappaqua Crunch Granola, Honest Tea, and Brightroom. Mechanical support was provided by: Landry’s Bicycles, Wheelworks, Cycle Loft, Sun & Ski Sports and Quad Cycles.

NH Seacoast Escape

NH Seacoast Escape 2011 start Over 150 riders raised nearly $100,000 during the Bike MS: New Hampshire Seacoast Escape on Saturday, August 13. Congrats to Mark Pitts, who was the “Top Fundraiser.” His extra efforts helped him win a Raleigh Revenio from Gus’ Bike of North Hampton. A HUGE thank you to our MS Ambassador, Patrick Garrett, who shared his story of living with MS. And, thank you to a great group of volunteers who helped to make it a fantastic day for all of our riders! Look ahead to 2012 for another great Seacoast Escape!

The Original Mud Run Liberty

Early returns indicate that The Original Mud Run Liberty, held at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ, attracted nearly 800 participants and raised $258,000. This is an exciting new event for the National MS Society. Check the Chapter webpage for announcements about a future date for the next Original Mud Run Liberty! Let’s get dirty to end MS!

Bike MS Season Starts Strong!

Two one-day rides in two uniquely New England locations helped start off the 2011 Bike MS riding season with enthusiasm. Ride the Vineyard (April 30) enjoyed a roster of nearly 700 riders, who raised over $420,000. In its inaugural year, Ride Bar Harbor hosted nearly 70 riders and many terrific volunteers along a route that takes your breath away. The ride showcases Acadia National Park and its legendary vistas at the Natural Seawall, Thunder Hole, and Somes Sound. Both rides feature short and long routes for riders of every ability level. Start a new tradition in 2012, and put at least one of these picture perfect New England rides on your calendar!

Bike MS Registration

Ride the Vineyard 2011 Ride Bar Harbor 2011

Journey of Hope 2011

2011 Journey of Hope The MS Journey of Hope made a huge difference in the chapter’s ability to provide funding for MS clinical care centers that are associated with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Many of the multidisciplinary services they provide to patients are not covered by health insurance. Eleven clinics participated in the eight-mile MS Journey of Hope that took place in both Hanover, N.H., and Natick, Ma. The clinics represented with teams were: Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lahey Clinic, MassGeneral Hospital for Children, MetroWest Medical Center, Mount Auburn Hospital, MS Clinic of New Hampshire, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, Steward MS Institute at Foxboro, and UMass Memorial Medical Center.

30th Annual MS Harborfest!

MS Harborfest 30th Anniversary logo Merle Hallet of Handy Boat was recognized as Co-Founder of the MS Regatta with the establishment of the Merle Hallet MS Regatta Fundraiser Cup. Special thanks to Michelle Smith, Chair of the MS Benefit Auction, Bill Newberry, Principal Race Officer for the MS Regatta, Jody Cady, Fleet Coordinator for the MS Regatta, Karen Moody, Keith Jordan, and Jon Johansen of the MS Lobster Boat Races, and Brian Fournier of the MS Tugboat Muster for their extraordinary efforts in making the 30th anniversary sailing of MS Harborfest a great success.