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Challenge Walk

3 days. 50 miles. walk
September 11-13, 2009
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
register at MSnewengland.org or 1-800-344-4867

Register before March 15, 2009 and save $20 on the registration fee by using the discount code: Gen20, and receive $100 “Bonus Bucks” towards your fundraising minimum. Questions about registering or the “Bonus Bucks” offer?

Contact MSChallenge@mam.nmss.org or call 800-344-4867

Walk with us in ‘09

Join us at one of 19 walk MS sites. Form a team or walk with family and friends. No matter which you choose, you’ll finish the walk with a sense of accomplishment and the satisfaction of knowing that you’ve made a difference. And you’ll have a great time doing it!

April

•   4 - Walk MS: Concord, Dartmouth, Easton, Marblehead, Newburyport, Worcester
•   5 - Walk MS: Boston, Plymouth
• 18 - Walk MS: Nashua, Portsmouth
• 19 - Walk MS: Manchester

May

•   2 - Walk MS: Cohasset, Northampton, Gorham
•   3 - Walk MS: Springfield, Gardner, Hyannis

September

• 27 - Walk MS: Berkshires

Journey of Hope ‘09

1 day. 8 miles. Funds raised from Journey of Hope are distributed directly to 10 participating MS Clinical Centers formally affiliated with the Chapter.

Saturday, April 4
Newton South High School,
Newton, Mass.

Register
Call 1-800-344-4867
email walkMS@mam.nmss.org

MS Auto Rally

• June 14, 2009 9am - Noon
• Hopkinton State Park, Hopkinton, Mass.

Traverse seldom traveled back roads of South Central Massachusetts while raising money to create a world free of MS. For more information, contact Todd Krohne.

• Details and registration
• MSAutoRally@mam.nmss.org
• 1-800-344-4867

Volunteer to Become a 2009 Champion Against MS!

Every year, hundreds of thousands of event participants and people living with MS come together to walk, ride and fundraise to work towards ending the devastating effects of MS. Champions Against MS strives to connect people living with MS and event participants to foster education, gratitude, and most importantly, hope, through the symbol of an inspiring bandana.

Both of you are Champions in our eyes. During Bike MS, the event participants wear a bandana signed by a person living with multiple sclerosis. The paired Champions are encouraged to connect before, during or after the event. As a person living with MS and a Champion, you are adding depth to an event participant’s experience, by increasing awareness of our mission, and serving as a critical part in the fight against MS. You are providing your Champion with hope, inspiration and encouragement. Your Champion may be able to do the same for you!

Sign up now at bikeMSmass.org to become a part of this free and rewarding volunteer opportunity!

Cyclists can sign up to be an Event Champion during the event registration process. Persons with MS can sign up to be an MS Champion online at bikeMSmass.org. To become a Bike MS Champion, you must be:

• A person living with multiple sclerosis.
• Willing to share your personal experiences with a Bike MS cyclist who rides in your honor.
• Willing to share your contact information (either address, phone number or email) so that your Champion may contact you.

To sign up, please visit our website at bikeMSmass.org or call Donna at 781-693-5113.

Lawry Circle

In 2008, our Chapter was the grateful beneficiary of a significant bequest of over $670,000 from the estate of Bernice A. Bixby. Bernice lived in Northampton, Mass. She clearly wanted to directly assist those living with MS in Massachusetts and her gift ensures that her desires will be realized.

Through her gift, Bernice became a member of the Lawry Circle. The Lawry Circle is a growing group of forward thinking people who know that the quest for a world free of MS must continue. The Lawry Circle is named for the Society’s Founders—Sylvia Lawry and her brother Bernard Lawry.

You can join those who want to help create a better future for the MS community through their will, trust or estate plan. Like Bernice, you too can make a difference in the lives of people with MS by joining the Lawry Circle. Planned Giving is one of the most powerful tools available to the National MS Society. It can provide an income stream, reduce your taxes and shape your legacy while fulfilling the Society’s mission.

Call Sallly Gould at 781-693-5150 or write to sally.gould@mam.nmss.org for more information.

Community Fundraising Events

On Saturday, January 17, Jessica Esposito hosted a private cocktail party at the Vox Populi in Boston. The admission included appetizers, a drink and a contribution to the National MS Society. 75 people attended. She also has had several companies host casual days for their employees for a donation to the MS Society. Through all of these avenues, Jessica has raised over $4,000. She has other companies across the nation hosting casual days during the upcoming months and expects the final contribution to MS will be around $5,000. Jessica plans to hold similar events every year.

The Chili Head BBQ in West Bridgewater hosted its first Derick Fund Raising Event on Tuesday, January 20. Paul and Kristen Bello, owners of the BBQ donated the restaurant, food and band for this event. The ticket price was $25, and in addition to the live music and food, they also had raffles and a silent auction. The final tally for the night totaled $10,500! Paul and Kristen enjoyed hosting this event so much, they have agreed to make it an annual event. Jim Derick organized the event and also has a Walk Team. Our own Ashley Wills attended this event and spoke on our behalf!

Savor the Flavors 2009

Close to 200 hearty New Englanders braved the snowstorm on Wednesday, January 28 to attend the second annual Savor the Flavors tasting event at the DCU Center in Worcester. Guests were welcomed by the smooth, sultry sounds of Doug Lowe’s saxophone. VIP’s visited with members of our staff during a private reception. Seventeen different restaurants and caterers served samples of their house specialties. At the wine pavilion, 48 wines from around the world were offered for sampling by the staff from State Liquor Exchange, the evenings sponsor.

Attendees enjoyed music performed by R&T and Friends, and by Sarah Winant. David Papazian from Dzian Art Gallery showcased paintings from the Thomas Arvid collection and many other local artists donated items for silent auction. With over 70 items for the raffle and silent auction, guests had a variety of options on which to try their luck. Radio personalities Jen & Steve from WXLO kept the mood festive and during the last hour, guests danced to the music of The Valves featuring the Tornado Alley Horns.

2009 Bike MS

This is the time of year for planning and preparing for the 2009 Bike MS season of rides. The Central New England Chapter’s rides are special. There is a sense of community that surrounds our Bike MS rides that brings riders and volunteers back year after year. Now is a great time to add a ride or two to your calendar. You can join these great events as a rider by registering for the Bike MS Ride the Vineyard on Saturday, May 2. This is a great event for all riders with three routes including a 25 kilometer ride mostly on the island’s bike paths. If you would rather participate in another way, we are always looking for volunteers. There are many ways that volunteers help at a Bike MS ride, and whatever way you choose will get you the thanks and appreciation of the riders. Bike MS rides are a crucial part of annual fundraising, join us.

For more information go to: www.bikemsmass.org or www.bikemsnh.org.

Ride the Vineyard
Saturday, May 2
Spend a day on charming Martha’s Vineyard! Choose
one of three fun routes: the 100K, 50K, or 25K.

25th Cape Cod Getaway
Saturday-Sunday, June 27-28
2 days, 150 miles. This is our largest cycling event of the season. Cyclists leave Marina Bay on Saturday and arrive in P’town on Sunday, and then enjoy a ferry ride home.

New Hampshire Seacoast Escape
Saturday, August 8
This ride features the beauty of New Hampshire’s scenic, less-traveled roads and quaint villages from the comfort and quiet of your bicycle. Route options are 100K or 40K. This event has a family atmosphere and features a postride barbecue.

Bike & Hike The Berkshires
Saturday, September 26
See the beautiful Berkshires in the Fall on the 100-mile Berkshire Challenge, Long and Short Hikes, 50-mile Fall Foliage Ride, or 25-mile Apples & Antiques Tour.