Inside this issue: Letter from President 2 Relationship Matters 4 Self Help Groups 5 Leadership Class 6 Golden Circle 7 Advocacy 8 Give a Gift 9 Spring 2010 Our Virtual Bike Team Our Virtual Bike Team Our Virtual Bike Team Our Virtual Bike Team Our 2010 Bike MS: Ride Virginia has it’s first Virtual Team. This is a group of riders that are currently fundraising, but will not actually ride to Williamsburg and back. We interviewed Nu, the team The AXLES first fundraising event at Whole Foods Captain to see what inspired her to take on this challenge. Q: Do you own a bike and if so, how often do you ride it? A: Yes, I do own a bike and I do ride, but not as often as I would like to, due to my work schedule and school. Q: How did you hear about the Bike MS Ride in Richmond? A: Through the National MS page online and website of the Richmond Chapter! It was very overwhelming to see the real stories of people affected by MS in the US, Canada and the rest of the world. Q: Why did you decide to create a Virtual Bike Team? A: I have been volunteering for a long time for some major non-profits. In Richmond, when I came across the virtual bike rider option, I felt this would give me an opportunity to take fundraising to a higher level. This may be a first in Richmond although many states in the US have adopted this idea and have been successful. Other than that, I have always encountered professionals who travel a lot, or for other reasons, they cannot bike ride for two days for Bike MS. I feel a Virtual Bike Team is an excellent way to reach out to those folks who would be interested in joining my team and or donate to my team for this great cause. Team Captain, Nu Q: How has team recruitment gone? A: This is my first year as a Team Captain for my group AXELS. The first thing I did was to reach out to my family, my Mom, sister, niece in New York. I am pleased to say that I have been able to form a team with friends and family because they all came forward, joined my team Continued on Page 3
Transcript
Inside this issue:
Letter from President 2
Relationship Matters 4
Self Help Groups 5
Leadership Class 6
Golden Circle 7
Advocacy 8
Give a Gift 9
Spring 2010
Our Virtual Bike TeamOur Virtual Bike TeamOur Virtual Bike TeamOur Virtual Bike Team Our 2010 Bike MS: Ride Virginia has it’s first Virtual Team. This is a group of riders that are currently fundraising, but will not actually ride to Williamsburg and back. We interviewed Nu, the team The AXLES first fundraising event at Whole Foods
Captain to see what inspired her to take on this challenge. Q: Do you own a bike and if so, how often do you ride it? A: Yes, I do own a bike and I do ride, but not as often as I would like to, due to my work schedule and school. Q: How did you hear about the Bike MS Ride in Richmond? A: Through the National MS page online and website of the Richmond Chapter! It was very overwhelming to see the real stories of people affected by MS in the US, Canada and the rest of the world. Q: Why did you decide to create a Virtual Bike Team? A: I have been volunteering for a long time for some major non-profits. In Richmond, when I came across the virtual bike rider option, I felt this would give me an opportunity to take fundraising to a higher level. This may be a first in Richmond although many states in the US have adopted this idea and have been successful. Other than that, I have always encountered
professionals who travel a lot, or for other reasons, they cannot bike ride for two days for Bike MS. I feel a Virtual Bike Team is an excellent way to reach out to those folks who would be interested in joining my team and or donate to my team for this great cause.
Team Captain, Nu
Q: How has team recruitment gone? A: This is my first year as a Team Captain for my group AXELS. The first thing I did was to reach out to my family, my Mom, sister, niece in New York. I am pleased to say that I have been able to form a team with friends and family because they all came forward, joined my team
Continued on Page 3
Dear MS Friends and Family, Join with courageous people who share your passion to live in a world free of MS- this is our vision, challenge, our hope. The Central Virginia Chapter of the NMSS has joined with innovative leaders, volunteers and participants that have a passion for our common cause, trust and courage. The power of the team is what will make a profound differ-ence and sustained results.
We truly believe in our vision and that the results will be measured in years, months, weeks, and days. Your involvement and commitment as a par-ticipant or volunteer is an investment of time, thought, and expertise that is criti-cal for our success. We are grateful for your passion and look to you as a con-tinued partner, and friend as we strive each day to not only find a cure, but that we leave the world a little better.
Go Well, Sherri Ellis
Leaving the World a bit better…… “To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed so-cial condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Letter From
Chapter President
Sherri Ellis Chapter President - (804) 591-3030
Judy Griffin Director of Development - (804) 591-3034
Kathryn Zapach Director of Programs & Services - (804) 591-3039
April Bass Relationship Manager - (804) 591-3038
Ashley Chapman VA Statewide Advocacy Manager - (804) 591-3048
Tiffany Epley Walk Coordinator - (804) 591-3036
Matt Gregory Systems Administrator - (804) 591-3041
Cover story continued… just to support me. I do intend to work harder next year to spread the word and recruit more team mem- bers. Q: What is your connection to MS? A: My connections are my friends, co- workers and everyday people in life, who are in our community surviving day to day as best as they can. My efforts are very small compared to what they go through, but I see them at my socials smiling, they remind me why it is important for to continue to be a part of this local and global movement and end MS. So it is not only the loss of friends and relatives of mine, but the strug- gle of near and dear ones in our everyday life that I feel connected to. Q: Anything else you want to share? A: On a personal note, my Mom being a retired physician has helped me to better understand MS. I am so very proud to say she not only donated to my team, but carried my mes- sage to India so she can help me raise funds. So between my Mom and me, I would say it is a global effort for sure. I would like to see our Richmond Chapter continue to bring all its resources for MS patients to restore
simple joys and comforts that this serious illness takes away. I am sure my chapter will continue its efforts to promote greater awareness and to sensitize people on how they can help people with MS. I extend my greetings and felicitations to fund- raisers, donors, volunteers, organizers, fans of Facebook and wish every success for Ride Virginia 2010!
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Showing “V” for Virtual!
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On January 6th the National MS Society of Central Virginia kicked off the Greater Fredericksburg Region MS Leadership Class of 2010 at the Kenmore Inn. This inaugural event, led by Co-Chairmen Senator Edd Houck and Joe Wilson, hon-ors professionals for their outstanding con-tributions to the civic, business and cultural betterment of the Greater Fredericksburg area. Each honoree dedicated themselves
to a quick fundraising challenge for the MS Society, lasting just 8 weeks, and together raised just over $20,000! Each honoree was rewarded with a Leadership Award at the Jepson Alumni Executive Center on March 18th. The National MS Society of Central Virginia salutes the Fredericksburg Region MS Leadership class and their commitment to the mission to one day find a cure and have a world free of MS.
Led by Co-Chairmen Joe Wilson, of Perma Treat, and Senator Edd Houck, members of the Fredericksburg Region MS Leadership Class 2010 include:
Jim Elliott – Perma Treat Mike Fidgeon - Providence Service Corporation Ben Keddie – Virginia Properties, Inc. Megan Mason Neda McGuire – Comfort Keepers Berkley Mitchell – Thalhimer Susan Mullane – UMW, Jepson Alumni Executive Center Deirdre White – DPW Training & Associates, LLC
Advisory Council: Rob Billingsley, Dana Houck, and Dana Herlong
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The Fredericksburg Region MS Leadership Class 2010 Top Fundraiser was Jim Elliot of Perma Treat. Jim Elliott began his professional career after serving in the U.S. Army. In his first position he served as a tobacco buyer for T.S. Ragsdale in Lake City, South Carolina. Soon after Jim left Ragsdale, he managed a convenience store in Mt. Pleas-ant, Tennessee. Jim then entered the pest control industry where he has enjoyed the successes for 22 years, as he has worked up the ladder. Jim has served as General Man-ager for PermaTreat’s Fredericksburg office for the past seven years. Jim raised $3,200 for the Central Virginia Chapter of the National MS Society.
Golden Circle is the Major Donor Program of the Central Virginia Chapter of the MS Society – a special place for people with a special commitment to a world free of MS. On behalf of everyone affected by multiple sclerosis, the National MS Society has created a membership program acknowledging the important support of individuals who truly make their mark against MS by making an annual gift of $1000 or more.
Members of the Golden Circle receive unique benefits, including: ♦ Access to chapter and national leadership
♦ Invitations to exclusive local and national special events ♦ Invitations to conference calls to hear the latest progress in
MS research directly from world-renowned scientists, and to pose questions directly to the scientists on the calls
♦ The opportunity to connect with other Golden Circle members — people who share a passion for a world free of MS.
For more information about the benefits of The Golden Circle or how you can join, please contact Sherri Ellis, Chapter President, at 804 591-3030 or by email at [email protected].
A Special Thanks to our Current Golden Circle Members
Jennifer Bittmann CJW Medical Center Frank N. Cowan Suzanne Gardner Glenn Nunziata John R. O’Connor Ray Paul, Jr. The Page Auto Group Ronald Powell, Jr. Ira Rosenfeld Melissa Silver Alexander Slaughter Harvey D. Wright Beth & Ryan Smith Blake Manners Anne Baird Joan Wilton
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Legislative Update
It has been a busy legislative season in Virginia. The primary focus of Virginia leg-islators has been on the 2010-2012 state budget. Facing an unprecedented $4 bil-lion deficit, legislators sought to fill the gap with severe cuts to state programs such as Medicaid. The proposed cuts threatened many of the services provided through Home and Community Based Waivers such as respite care. The cuts also threatened to halt new enrollment into Medicaid Waiver programs. MS Activists testified at all five budget hearings across the state and worked with the Healthcare for All Virginians Coalition to write letters, email, call, rally and visit policymakers. They shared their stories and asked legislators to protect services for the most vulnerable Virginians. Due to the efforts of our volunteers and many others across the state, health care cuts have been softened in the final bill with the expectation that Virginia will receive additional funding from the Federal gov-ernment and by shifting cuts to other budget areas. In January, over 40 MS Activists participated in our annual MS Advocacy Day - gathering in Richmond to meet with legislators and discuss our 2010 policy priori-ties. These volunteers asked their legislators to improve access to affordable housing, increase access to accessible transportation, expand access to expen-sive disease-modifying therapies and protect services for Virginia’s most vulner-able communities. In conjunction with our visit to Richmond, we held our first ever Virtual Advocacy Day. Participants followed our advocacy efforts on twitter, up-dated their Facebook pages and sent emails to their legislators informing them of our policy priorities. As a result of their visit to Richmond, MS Activists helped pass several bills that will positively impact the MS community. One such bill provides that the state will assess the needs of older Virginians and people with disabilities and plan for the future by developing a blueprint for livable communities and long-term services and supports. In regards to transportation, from now on, permanent and remov-able windshield placards shall not show the name, age, and sex of the person to whom issued. Instead, holders will be required to carry Disabled Parking Placard Identification Cards issued by the DMV. In the area of housing, The Department for the Aging will be required to publicize guidelines on universal design and vista-bility features to make structures and dwellings accessible for older Virginians and people with mobility impairment. We also worked with the Alzheimer’s Association and the Virginia Association for Centers of Independent Living to pass a bill that allows consumers to direct others to perform state funded health care tasks that would have otherwise been self-administered, such as giving injections.
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ADVOCACY
Furthermore, the General Assembly passed House Joint Resolution 341 – declaring the second week of March, this year and in each succeeding year, MS Awareness Week in the Commonwealth! Several other important bills were passed by the Assembly and presented to the Gov-ernor. Legislators reconvened in Richmond on April 21st for the “veto session” – during which bill amendments put forth by Governor McDonnell were addressed. For more information about our state advocacy efforts or to learn about other bills that
have passed, please contact Ashley Chapman, the Virginia Statewide Advocacy Manager
Let Us Count the Ways There are many ways that you can make a significant gift
today or plan a gift for the future and join the movement to
Bequests. You can create a legacy by naming the Society in your will, charitable remainder trust, charitable lead trust or living trust. Your bequest will provide important support to the Society in the future and may be ex-empt from federal estate taxes. Life insurance gifts. Designate the National MS Society as owner and beneficiary of an insurance policy is an easy way to make a gift that costs you little while creating your legacy of support to the Society. Name your gift. Your check or stock gift may go to the general fund or be restricted to the research or the ser-vice program of your choice. Restrict your Golden Circle membership or campaign gift by indicating your pref-erences when mailing it to the Golden Circle Manager at our Chapter. Contact Sherri Ellis, Chapter President for more information at 804-591-3030
