Walk & Fun for a Great Cause! May 18

As some of you may know, I help co-organize a local volunteer Meetup group called "Ripplers." We provide an opportunity for folks to jump in and help various efforts around the community when and how often they desire. One of our members, Michelle is leading a Multiple Sclerosis walk-a-thon in Carmel, New York this Sunday and I wanted to pass on all the cool stuff that is happening. She is in need of volunteers and/or walkers, so if you are interested, please jump on board! Either contact Michele directly or access the Ripplers site for more details.

Ripplers: http://volunteerism.m...
Michele: http://volunteerism.m...


Following is some info passed on last night which got me all excited and I had to share!
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Dear Walk MS Supporters,

In just 3 short days we will all be assembled in one common cause-to fight Multiple Sclerosis and bring an end to its devastating effects on our family, friends, co-workers and even people we do not know but feel compelled to help.

On behalf of the National MS Society, Southern NY Chapter I want to thank you for JOINING THE MOVEMENT and the fight against MS.

On a personal note, this year marks my 5th year as the Special Events Manager for the Putnam County Walk MS and I cannot thank you all enough. When I took over my role, there were 67 people walking at Brewster HS. Thankfully one fateful day Bill Sayegh from Sayegh Law called to say he wanted to help us. Since then, the walk has grown every year. This is our banner year! There are 377 pre-registered walkers, teams doubled in size from 25 teams in 2007 to 50 teams in 2008. We have Youth Ambassadors in each of the major Putnam HS, teachers and students from Mahopac HS, Carmel HS and Brewster HS have worked hard to make this year's walk a success and to help raise awareness about MS. Major sponsors such as Sayegh Law and TD Banknorth have been incredibly generous as well as many other area businesses. This year due to TD Banknorth's generosity a concept I developed a few years back, KIDS AGAINST MS-KAMS KORNER is really taking off, we will have a large fire truck inflatable slide for the kids as well as the challenging PIT STOP CHALLENGE. The Kids area will also have ice cream, popcorn and cotton candy!

In addition, thanks to the help of TD Banknorth team Captain Dominique Denaut, her two brothers Neil and John Michael have also joined the movement are also going to help make the event a lot of fun. Neil is the owner of ALL OUT FITNESS and will be pumping us and getting us ready for the walk as part of the opening ceremonies, John Michael, also known as JM or "Dee Jay Megz" will be spinning karaoke tunes to once you return from the walk inside the Fire House, get ready to sing any number of "walk" songs, "walk this way" "walking on sunshine" and the list goes on.

Dan Stockfield of Stockfield Photography will be taking pictures of teams beginning at 8AM in the stage area, be sure to have your team photo taken by Dan. Our very own Carmel HS Youth Ambassador Katie Pumarejo will be singing the National Anthem during the opening ceremonies. We will have face painters and several guest star appearances from Dora and her dear friend Boots the Monkey!

There will be artist on site to develop beautiful arts & crafts with the kids. Be sure to visit the KAMS KORNER!

There will be a "JOIN THE MOVEMENT" HOOLA HOOP contest!

Vendors and sponsors will be on site including ALL OUT FITNESS, NYSC, NY Life, Shaklee, Maher Chiropractic and many others!

An AMAZING Asian Artist will be on site to transform your name or your teams name into a beautiful work out art. 50% of sales will be donated to the Walk MS.

In addition we will be conducting a raffle consisting of great prizes including 4 Yankees tickets, 4 Mets tickets, 2 Giants tickets, $250 gift certificate to Modells Sporting Goods Store, $250 DVD Player, a Yankees Classic Tour for 4 people and many other wonderful gift certificates from area stores. You do not need to be present to win but you do need to buy your ticket before the raffle cut off @ 12 Noon on Sunday, May 18th.

Gift certificate prizes will begin being pulled @ 12 Noon, winners will be posted on a board in the raffle area. Grand raffle prizes will be announced at 1PM SHARP! You don't want to miss it! And to top that off, Bill Sayegh will be hosting a LIVE auction of an autographed Bernie Williams glove.

I hope I did not miss anything but as you can see, this is a very special year for some very special people.

Thank you for making the last 5 years an incredibly worthwhile and meaningful experience. I look forward to raising even more awareness about MS in Putnam County and look forward to seeing you and hearing from you to learn how you think we can do this together.

Sincerely yours,
Michele Hennessy
Special Events Manager
National MS Society

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