Thoughts about Giving: Swim for MS and other fundraising events are highlighted
Donate in Honor or in Memory of Someone Special
By Angel Serrano, CFRE
By making a tribute gift to the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, you have the opportunity to provide a lasting remembrance to memorialize a loved one or honor a friend. You also have the opportunity to celebrate a birthday, holiday, anniversary, unique accomplishment, or special occasion – all while supporting our urgent mission.
When a tribute gift is received, MSAA will promptly send a personalized tribute or memorial card to the person or family indicated. This will notify them of your thoughtful gift, while not revealing the amount of the donation.
Multiple Sclerosis Association of America
375 Kings Highway North, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
With your donation, please include:
- The name of the honoree
- If the gift is in memory or in honor of someone, or if this gift is to celebrate a special occasion
- The name and address of the recipient (if you wish us to notify them of your donation); you may also add a brief message
To make a tribute gift online, please visit support.mymsaa.org/tribute.
A Special Story to Inspire
When Rose’s husband Keith passed away, she knew she wanted to do something that would establish a lasting tribute to him. Keith was diagnosed with MS in 1989 and passed away due to complications of the disease. Rose created an online tribute page in memory of her husband that included a photo of Keith and allowed his friends and family to sign a guestbook. Not only did Rose help raise funds to provide free services and support to other individuals affected by MS, she was also able to share his story and memorialize her late husband.
Your generous donation will help ensure more people get the assistance they are seeking. This includes resources for the newly diagnosed – such as urgent information through MSAA’s website and online videos, award-winning publications, educational programs, and vital phone consultation – as well as resources and services for those at any stage of MS, which includes cooling vests, wheelchairs, safety and mobility devices, urgently needed MRIs, and much more.
Create: Create a personal Tribute Page with your message and pictures for any occasion.
Personalize: Write a personal story, share memories, add a picture, or create a photo album.
Share: Email family, friends, and coworkers about your Tribute Page and ask them to support the cause or share their thoughts on your guestbook.
Update: Make updates, send emails, and check the progress of your Tribute Page.
Create Your Own Fundraising Event
Each year, individuals and groups turn their passions and interests into unique fundraisers to raise thousands of dollars for MSAA. Simple ideas could include a bake sale, “Dress-Down Day” at the office, a coin toss, a bingo party, or joining Team MSAA in various endurance events. Other exciting ideas include a car show, a polar plunge, a “Strike for MS” bowling competition, or a sporting event such as a golf, soccer, tennis, or basketball tournament. If you enjoy swimming, you can also create your own Swim for MS challenge – check out SwimForMS.org for more information. If interested in creating your own fundraisers, please visit support.mymsaa.org/create or email us at events@mymsaa.org.
To follow are just a few examples of inspirational individuals and groups who have gone above and beyond to improve the lives of those affected by MS.
Annual Coin Toss
The Knights of Columbus, Santa Maria Council #1443, organized their 4th Annual Coin Toss in New Jersey on March 11, 2017. Each year, volunteers are supplied with safety vests, donated lunches from Chick-fil-A, and safety assistance from local police officers. The event organizer’s wife has MS and received a shower chair, quad cane, and a cooling vest through MSAA’s Equipment and Cooling Distribution programs. This year’s event raised $2,600 to support the MS community.
MS Spring Golf Classic
The MS Spring Golf Classic was held in New Jersey on May 8, 2017. Nearly 180 golfers enjoyed a day of golf while raising more than $250,000 to benefit the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America. More than 40 corporate teams from the New York City media and advertising industry participated in the MS Spring Golf Classic.
Annual Car Show
On July 24, 2017, 1A Auto held their 7th annual Summer Roundup Charity Car Show in Massachusetts, which included more than 200 cars – ranging from muscle cars and hotrods to rock crawlers, lowriders, imports, and exotics. The event raised $1,500 and included a DJ, food, vendors, and raffles.
Rock ‘n’ Roll for Team MSAA
Kaitlyn Gallagher, MSAA’s public relations and marketing coordinator, participated in the Rock ‘n’ Roll 5K in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania this past fall as a part of MSAA’s endurance events initiative. Kaitlyn’s grandmother lived with MS for many years and frequently participated in MSAA programs. Kaitlyn explains, “Knowing that the dollars I raise will help people with MS who are just like my grandmother gives me the motivation to cross the fundraising and race finish lines! I am honored to run in memory of my grandmother, and thank MSAA for the work that is done each and every day in the name of the MS community.”
Dopey Challenge for Daddy
Eleven years ago, Rachael’s dad, Dan, medically retired from his job because of his MS. Today, after 25 years of coping with MS, he uses a wheelchair and is unable to stand. Every day he struggles and yet every day he jokes about how “Dan-good” his life is. Rachael says, “Given how severe his condition is and how much he has struggled, I want to do the entire Dopey challenge, even though that struggle is nothing compared to his day-to-day challenges.” In his honor, Rachael will be running the 48.6-mile Dopey Challenge with Team MSAA in the 2018 Walt Disney World® Marathon Weekend to raise money for individuals affected by MS. To read more of Rachael’s story or to help her reach her goal of raising $4,500, please visit support.mymsaa.org/RachaelWDW.
Swim for MS
Adrianne Cornish is swimming 100 meters for every dollar donated to her Swim for MS campaign! Joining Adrianne on her Swim for MS journey is her 14-year-old daughter, Katy. Sadly, Adrianne’s mother passed away due to complications from MS. She saw Swim for MS as an opportunity to honor her mother’s legacy while doing what she loves most – swimming. “My daughter is named after my mother,” said Adrianne. “And our Swim team name is KMCswim in honor of my mother as well. Finding Swim for MS felt like a perfect fit – I have this connection to MS, and this program offered a way for me and my daughter to swim together while supporting a cause we’re passionate about.” To read more of Adrianne and Katy’s story, please visit support.mymsaa.org/KMCswim.