When she was a sophomore in high school, Kelsey Baker began volunteering with the National MS Society- GA chapter during Bike MS (then called MS 150.)  Kelsey and her mom lent a hand at break points for the riders by filling water bottles and handing out snacks.  Kelsey’s dad and sister would cycle.  She did that for three years and then joined in on the action, recently completing Bike MS for the fourth time.  The Baker family has a neighbor, who is a family friend, living with multiple sclerosis.   Kelsey says two of the reasons that keep her coming back are learning more about MS and the relationships she’s built through her involvement.  “It’s definitely my favorite weekend of the year.  I just look forward to it so much.”

 

In addition to her involvement with Bike MS, Kelsey has had the opportunity to intern last summer with the Georgia Chapter.  She worked closely with the Special Events Managers of Bike MS and Walk MS.  “I think it’s really great to get involved with organizations that you’re passionate about and volunteer and help them.  I want to go into non-profit after graduation, so it was really cool to work in a non-profit that I’ve been involved with for so long.  It was really cool to see the other side- the planning process of it.”

 

Kelsey has already made plans to ride this fall.  “I think it’s just such a great cause.  A lot of people don’t know about multiple sclerosis, and they don’t really know how it affects people and the people around them, so I just think (Bike MS) is a really great way to raise awareness and money for something that a lot of people suffer from but that isn’t that widely known.”

 

To learn more about Bike MS, visit bikems.org.   Looking for an internship with the Society?  Contact Pamela Owunta at (678)534-3653.