DUNCANSVILLE - An event to officially kick off the 2011 Walk for Multiple Sclerosis was held Feb. 23 at Marzoni's Brick Oven &?Brewing Co.
More than 30 persons representing the Bedford, Hollidaysburg and Johnstown walks gathered for dinner and an information session for team captains.
The MS Walk for the Keystone Branch of the Western PA Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in our area of central Pennsylvania will be held May 15.
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Courtesy photo
Among those taking part in the kickoff event for the 2011 Walk for Multiple Sclerosis were (from left): Nancy Vogel, Gina Baird, Sue Dodson (Penn State Altoona Team); Billie Jo Walls and Angel Horon (Hoss’s Family Steak & Sea); Sherry Temple (Martin’s Food Market No. 288); Steve “Frogman” Kelsey (Froggy 98 Radio); Sherry Barnard (Martin’s Food Market No. 466); Doris Dibert and Joann Baughman (Everett Energizers); and Angela Gorzelsky (Angela’s Army Against MS).
The three sites are Shawnee State Park for the Bedford walk, the Hollidaysburg Area Junior High School for the Hollidaysburg walk and Richland Area High School for the Johnstown walk.
Sharon O'Keiff, branch manager of the MS office in Duncansville, and in charge of coordinating all walks, welcomed those in attendance. Julie Rothrauff, special events assistant, reviewed the captain's packet and shared tips for recruiting walkers and fundraising.
As a special way to raise funds for the walk, in addition to securing donations, teams will be selling raffle tickets. Drawings will be held on May 20 for a 2010 NFL autographed screen-signed Steelers football in a protective case, a Pandora bracelet with charm, donated by Decker Diamond Jewelers; and an official Steelers Terrible Towel in a shadow box, autographed by No. 53 Maurkice Pouncey.
Each person raising at least $100 in donations will receive a Walk MS T-shirt.
The theme again this year is "Walk to create a world free of MS."
The walk provides a time and a place to help raise critical funds that support cutting-edge research, bring about change through advocacy, facilitate professional education and provide programs and services to help people with MS move their lives forward. The Western PA MS Chapter covers 26 counties and serves 7,300 clients.
Those wishing to form a team or participate in the walk should register as soon as possible, either online at www.walkMS.org or calling Julie at 696-1017. On May 15, registration opens at 1 p.m., with the walk beginning at 2 p.m.
Persons with MS who would like to receive current information about the disease, notices of coming events, client services and local self-help group meetings may call the Pittsburgh NMSS office at 800-544-5250.
