MS Walk Ontario - Every Step Matters - Make your step the one that ends multiple sclerosis

Fundraising tip #15 -Don't forget to pledge yourself!

Fundraising tip #9 – Host a 'Make believe tea party"

Fundraising Tip #19 - How to raise 2.5 times more money

It's not too late to make every step matter! Click here to register for your local MS Walk.

It's National Volunteer Week - Thank You!

2011-04-12T09:05:00.001-04:00

It’s National Volunteer Week and we would like to take this opportunity to thank the more than 10,000 of you who continue to volunteer with us and ensure that your local MS Walk is a success year after year.

To our many volunteers: Thank you!

Your passion, support, hard work and unwavering dedication to the cause of ending MS is very much appreciated by countless individuals. Each and every volunteer plays a pivotal role in the movement to end MS, and the MS Walk could not be possible without the time and energy you donate so graciously.

Thank you MS Walk volunteers!

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Are you interested in volunteering during the MS Walk or with the MS Society of Canada in general? Click here to fill out our online application form or call 416-922-6600 today!

To learn more about the 68^th Canadian National Volunteer Week, visit: http://volunteer.ca/nvw

Fundraising Tip of the Week: 007 Licensed To Ask

2011-04-11T09:03:00.004-04:00

The MS Walk is only 6 days away and we know you’d like to gather as many last minute pledges as possible. Well, we’ve got a special mission for you. It’s time that you transform into a special agent. Your name:

Agent 007 and you’re licensed to ask!

Many fundraisers are hesitant to ask their donors for a little extra last minute support, however, it never hurts to ask! Let your friends, family members, and coworkers know that you are on a special mission to end MS and that you’re code name is Agent 007: with a license to ask. Ask if they’ll donate that extra 35 cents left over from buying their coffee or the $5 bill they got in change from buying lunch.

Be sure to be playful with this tip and your persona - people will appreciate your imagination and clever reference, and are likely to help you with your last fundraising push. Also make sure (as you already do) to express sincere gratitude to any donors who help you on your mission to raise funds to end MS in the eleventh hour!

This blog post will self-destruct in 5,4,3,2…

It's not too late to make every step matter! Click here to register for your local MS Walk.

Need some last-minute fundraising tips?

Fundraising tip #15 -Don't forget to pledge yourself!

Fundraising tip #9 – Host a 'Make believe tea party"

View a list of great MS Walk fundraising Prizes

Only 7 Days Until The 2011 MS Walk!

2011-04-10T10:12:00.003-04:00

We are officially in the final stretch! There are only 7 days left until the 2011 MS Walk on Sunday, April 17! It’s time to collect your final pledges (see the end of this post for some excellent fundraising ideas), thank your donors for their support, and get ready to make every step matter.

Not yet registered for the MS Walk? It isn’t too late! Click here to register now and fundraise for those in need of your support.

We thank all of you for being a part of the movement to end MS. All participants in the MS Walk, from the fundraisers and donors, to the volunteers and sponsors, play an important part in truly making a difference in the lives of thousands of people living with multiple sclerosis!

Find out more below:

Learn more about the MS Society of Canada

Need some last-minute fundraising tips?

Fundraising Tip #19 - How to raise 2.5 times more money

Fundraising tip #15 -Don't forget to pledge yourself!

Fundraising tip #9 – Host a 'Make believe tea party"

Click here to register for your local MS Walk

Sponsor Profile - The FSA Group

2011-04-07T09:25:00.005-04:00

The Markham MS Walk would not be possible if it were not for the groundswell of enthusiastic community support which it receives year after year. In addition to our other media partners, we are also very grateful for the dedicated support of the FSA Group, our largest cash sponsor for the 2011 MS Walk in Markham.

Located in Markham, the FSA Group’s core business is direct marketing, coupled with a commitment to local social causes. Rob Van Velzen, President of the FSA Group, and his wife Jan, Chair of the MS Walk organizing committee, have provided unwavering support in not only planning the MS Walk, but also by volunteering on the day of the walk and generously allocating company resources to the organizing committee wherever possible.

We extend a sincere thank you to the Van Velzens for their constant support and commitment in the fight to end MS!

For additional information on the FSA Group, please visit: www.thefsagroup.com

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It's not too late to make every step matter! Click here to register for your local MS Walk.
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This Weekend - Visit us at the Toronto Total Health Show!

2011-04-05T09:59:00.006-04:00

Are you going to be in Toronto this weekend? We invite you to come visit us at booth #827 at the Toronto Total Health Show.

We’ll have all of the information you need in regard to the various MS Walks taking place across Ontario, steps to register for your local walk and create a team or to answer any other questions that you may have. Plus, you’ll get the chance to enter to win a fabulous Aveda gift basket!

We hope to see you there!

For a map and directions to the Total Health Show, click here.

Sponsor Profile - The Peterborough MS Walk

2011-04-04T14:27:00.004-04:00

Year after year, the Peterborough MS Walk has been fortunate to be supported by loyal local media sponsors. Whether by providing invaluable airtime playing the MS Walk public service announcement, attending pre-events, and even showing up to broadcast live on the day of the Walk, we remain thankful for their continued support!

The Peterborough MS Walk team is proud to be in partnership with:

· Chum Kawartha (Country 105, Energy 99.7, 91.9 BOB FM),

· The Peterborough Examiner

· TVCOGECO

Please take the time to learn more about the sponsors by clicking on their names to visit their respective websites.

Click here to register for your local MS Walk.

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Fundraising Tip of the Week: Spring Cleaning Garage Sale

2011-04-04T09:20:00.003-04:00

Today’s tip is a classic. A tried and true fundraising staple, so allow yourself to be transported back to your years of childhood innocence, smiling (or groaning) to the sound of your mom’s sweet, yet commandeering voice proclaiming:

“GET OUT OF BED – IT’S TIME FOR SPRING CLEANING!”

Yes, it is that time of year to dust off the cobwebs and discover what treasures (or junk) has been forgotten about in the dark recesses of the basement, closets and garage.

It’s time to do some fundraising as well!

Holding a garage sale is one of the most enduring and popular fundraisers to take place during the spring.

Here’s how simple it is to put one together:

· Round-up and set a price for all of the item with which you’re willing to part.

· Put up some homemade signs around your community with the date(s) and time of your sale. If you can, put a small ad in the local classifieds.

· Sell your treasures (and junk).

· Count your profits!

Make sure to put a sign up at your garage sale which informs your buyers that all of the funds raised will be going towards your MS Walk fundraising drive.

Lastly, try to get the community involved by holding a street sale. Get as many of your neighbours together to have a massive street-long garage sale and propose that everyone donate all or a portion of their sales to the MS Walk.

Now go get cleaning!

For additional fundraising tips, select a link below:

Fundraising tip #9 – Host a 'Make believe tea party"

Fundraising tip #14 - Lunch break
Fundraising tip #15 -Don't forget to pledge yourself!

Fundraising Tip #19 - How to raise 2.5 times more money

Fundraising Tip of the Week: How To Raise 2.5 Times More Money!

2011-03-31T09:23:00.002-04:00

For the past several months we have been posting weekly fundraising tips to help you successfully meet and exceed your fundraising goals for your 2011 MS Walk. We covered ideas ranging from bakeless bake sales to rubber duck races, but can you guess what the most important fundraising tip that we can give you is?

Pledging yourself! You may have heard us tell you before that it is always a great idea to pledge yourself but you probably didn’t know how important that first step really is to your overall fundraising success.

Recent studies show that participants who pledge themselves turn in 2.5 times as much money as those that simply ask others and 5 times as much as those that simply show up and write a cheque.

Why?

Well, quite frankly it’s called putting your money where your mouth is. It’s a lot easier to get friends and family members to pledge you for your MS Walk, if you can say that you have personally donated to your efforts.

After all, if you truly believe in a cause you have to be willing to take the first step.

For additional fundraising tips, select a link below:

Fundraising tip #9 – Host a 'Make believe tea party"

Fundraising tip #14 - Lunch break
Fundraising tip #15 -Don't forget to pledge yourself!

She Weighs 4.5 Tons And Makes Every Step Matter!

2011-03-30T09:24:00.000-04:00

Join us at the 2011 Bowmanville MS Walk Pre-Event taking place on Sunday April 3 for a special surprise - the chance for your family to walk with [and feed!] Limba the Elephant from the Bowmanville Zoo!

Limba will begin her walk at the Bowmanville Zoo at approximately 11:30 am and continue west on King Street to the Bowmanville Mall parking lot [Shoppers Drug Mart Side, 243 King Street East]. For a small donation, you will even have the opportunity to feed Limba! Funds raised will go towards the fight to end MS.

You are welcome to meet Limba at the Zoo to join her on her walk, or join us later at the Bowmanville Mall. Limba’s walk will take place as long as Limba is available and the weather is acceptable.

The Bowmanville Zoo is located at 340 King Street East, Bowmanville, On. Click here for a map.

Sponsor Profile - The Brockville MS Walk

2011-03-29T08:59:00.001-04:00

The Brockville MS Walk is now in its 14^th year and the organizing committee would like to take the time to thank the media sponsors who continue to support the event year after year:

- Chum Radio Brockville (104.9 JR FM and 103.7 Bob FM)

- The Recorder and Times

- TVCOGECO

- St. Lawrence EMC

Please take some time to learn more about our sponsors by clicking on their names above to visit their respective websites.

Fundraising Tip of the Week: Crazy Golf!

2011-03-28T09:11:00.001-04:00

This week’s tip involves getting outside, enjoying the weather and getting a little crazy. Many of you may love playing a traditional 18 holes to kick off your spring season but this year, why not spice it up? This spring, organize a Crazy Golf Tournament!

Here is how a crazy golf tournament can work: each team receives 18 envelopes (or 9 if you’re only playing a half round), and one is opened at each hole. In each envelope there is a unique note specifying how that team must play that hole. For example: having to putt with a blindfold on, having to tee-off using your non-dominant hand, you can only use a wedge standing on one foot, etc.. Whatever crazy terms you give them, they have to do. And vice versa!

Just charge each team a small amount to enter the competition – enough to cover the course fees and a little extra to go towards the MS Walk.

Alternatively, you could create your own mini putt course in your backyard! Make it as challenging and creative as you want! Simply purchase some mini-putters and small course obstacles from the dollar store and charge an admission fee to play your unique course. Great fun for young and old alike!

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For additional fundraising tips, select a link below:

Fundraising tip #9 – Host a 'Make believe tea party"

Fundraising tip #14 - Lunch break
Fundraising tip #15 - Don't forget to pledge yourself!
Fundraising tip #15 -Don't forget to pledge yourself!

Sponsor Profile - The Muskoka MS Walk

2011-03-24T09:32:00.001-04:00

“I will display the brochures and promote the MS Walk until they find a cure.”

These are the words of one of the faithful sponsors of the Muskoka MS Walk, just one example of the degree of passion and commitment expressed by all of the local sponsors each year.

Local sponsors play an integral part in the success of the MS Walk and we would therefore like to take a moment to thank the following local media sponsors who continue to provide unwavering support to the Muskoka Walk year after year!

We thank:

· MooseFM

· Metroland North Media (Huntsville Forrester, Parry Sound North Star, Gravenhurst Banner, Bracebridge Examiner)

· TV Cogeco

Please take a moment to learn more about our sponsors by clicking on their names to visit their respective websites.

Fundraising Tip of the Week: Off to the Races - QUACK!

2011-03-22T09:15:00.003-04:00

What’s the most intense and nail-biting race that takes place each spring in Ontario? It’s more exciting than the cars, motorcycles, bicycles, airplanes, or other “extreme sports” events. Think along the lines of “quack, quack”.

This week’s fundraising tip is to hold a community rubber duck race.

Holding a rubber duck race in your community can be one of the most fun, rewarding and effective fundraising events that you can hold. Kids especially love them.

Here’s how to prepare for a rubber duck race in 4 easy steps:

Buy rubber ducks (or any other fun objects that can float) in bulk from the local dollar store or online.
Assign each one a distinctive number that matches a ticket number.
Connect with your neighbours, friends and family members and invite them, for a small donation, to “adopt” a duck for the chance to win a prize.
Encourage local business to donate prizes.

Rubber duck races are great because they are versatile and can accommodate various turnout sizes; however, the bigger it gets, the more exciting it gets!

A great way to maximize your turnout is to branch out to your community through local places of worship, sporting events, schools, etc.

Once you’ve selected the nearest body of water (it will need a slight current), set the race date and sell your tickets.

On race day, release all of the rubber ducks into the water at once and watch them race! The first duck to cross the designated finish line wins!

You’ll find that once you hold rubber duck race in your community the event will grow bigger and bigger each year as more people look forward to it!

P.S.: Please respect the environment and make sure that you remove all rubber ducks from the water after the event!

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For additional fundraising tips, select a link below:

Fundraising tip #9 – Host a 'Make believe tea party"

Fundraising tip #15 – Don’t Forget to Pledge Yourself!