2010 Walker Manual by Laurie Palmer

WALK MS 2010 walker MANUAL

www.walkMSgeorgia.org

TIER ONE

TIER TWO

TIER THREE

TIER FOUR

MEDIA

Special Events Staff

Ailena Gibby Parramore Director of Special Events Ailena.parramore@nmssga.org Jared Miley Walk MS Development Manager Jared.miley@nmssga.org

Table of Contents Welcome to Walk MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 About MS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Where Does the Money Go?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Getting Started: 3 Simple Steps to Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Cara Misuraco Reeve Special Events Manager Cara.reeve@nmssga.org

Why Walk Alone? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Amanda Karnik Moran Community Development Manager Amanda.moran@nmssga.org

Online Success. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Development Staff

Fundraising Tips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Matching Gifts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Top 100 Club. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Rina Cook Director of Fund Development rina.cook@nmssga.org

General Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Program Staff

Walk Site Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Hilary LaMotte Director of Clinical & Chapter Programs Hilary.lamotte@nmssga.org

Going The Extra Mile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Kyle Pinion Director of Public Policy & Advocacy Kyle.pinion@nmssga.org

Champions Against MS

Mission Possible

Tammy Earnest Senior Manager, Community Programs & Chapter Services Tammy.earnest@nmssga.org

Tour of Champions

Administrative Staff

Nicole Hill Vice President Finance & Administration Nicole.hill@nmssga.org Melissa Polun Operations Manager Melissa.polun@nmssga.org Susie Collins Receptionist Susie.collins@nmssga.org Lynn Runsten Finance Associate Lynn.runsten@nmssga.org Terri Cool Data Entry Associate Terri.cool@nmssga.org

Carloine Kulinski, Team Captain Wearing Red Shoes

FoR more information and team resources, please go to: www.walkMSgeorgia.org

Welcome to Walk MS 2010 Walk MS is the rallying point of the MS movement; a community coming together to raise funds and celebrate hope for the future. Walk MS is a simple, but incredibly powerful way for you to share in the hope for the future. It is a day to come together, to be together, to celebrate the movement together. Moving forward, this Guide will help you keep you organized and motivated, as well as provide some great tips for having fun while fundraising. Walk with us Walk MS 2010 Start Time: Registration – 9:00am / Walk Start – 10:00am Southwest GA - March 20 Northeast GA – March 27 Chattahoochee Valley – March 27 Coastal Empire – April 17 Middle GA – April 17 Northwest GA – May 1 East Central GA - May 1 Start Time – Registration 8:00am / Walk Start – 10:00am Atlanta – May 15 Marietta - May 8 For more information, visit www.walkMSgeorgia.org or call 678.672.1000. National Multiple Sclerosis Society Georgia Chapter 1117 Perimeter Center West, Suite E101 Atlanta, Georgia 30338 Phone: 678.672.1000 Fax: 678.672.1015 www.nationalMSsociety.org/gaa. 2 | Walk MS Walker Manual

We are people who want to do something about MS NOW About MS Multiple sclerosis interrupts the flow of information from the brain to the body and stops people from moving. Every hour in the United States, someone is newly diagnosed with MS, an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are moving us closer to a world free of MS. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with more than twice as many women as men being diagnosed with the disease. MS affects more than 400,000 people in the U.S., and 2.5 million worldwide.

About the National MS Society The National MS Society helps people affected by MS by funding cutting-edge research, driving change through advocacy, facilitating professional education, and providing programs and services designed to help people with MS and their families move their lives forward. Early and ongoing treatment with an FDA-approved therapy can make a difference for people with multiple sclerosis. Learn about your options by talking to your health care professional and contacting the National MS Society at www.nationalMSsociety.org or 1-800-344-4867.

Where Does the Money Go? MS stops people from moving. The National MS Society exists to make sure it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. We do this through our home office and 50-state network of chapters by funding more MS research, providing more services to people with MS, offering more professional education and furthering more advocacy efforts than any other MS organization in the world. Just look at the difference it makes in your own community:

Chapter Program & Research Highlights For over 50 years, the Georgia Chapter has been providing hope to nearly 8,500 individuals and families affected by multiple sclerosis in Georgia. The Georgia Chapter provides outstanding, comprehensive programs and support services designed to help people with MS and their families better address the challenges of living with this unpredictable disease. We strive to provide knowledge and assistance to help people with MS to maintain the highest possible quality of life. Offering much needed services and funding top-rated research, our staff and volunteers are dedicated to achieving a world free of MS.

Chapter Financial Information 85 cents of every dollar raised in the Georgia Chapter is spent towards ending the devastating effects of multiple sclerosis. The Georgia Chapter depends on community support to fund local programs and accelerate national research projects to identify the cause and cure of MS. We are thankful to our members and their friends, event participants, corporate partners and the general public who help us raise the money to help create a world free of MS.

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Team Garnder Girls

Top Fundraiser Therese Stepowany

Top Fundraiser Dawn Dorsey

Getting Started: three Simple Steps to Success As a part of the MS movement, you are committed to a world free of MS. We’re committed to you and your Walk MS experience.

1. RAISING MONEY

(Pages 4 - 7) Fundraising comes more naturally when you make it personal. Share your story, or ask to share the story of someone walking with you. Don’t forget to ask everyone who sponsors you if their employer offers matching gifts! Remember, you are raising important dollars through Walk MS for vital research and client programs. Ask Boldly!

2. Preparation

(Pages 7 - 13) With a little preparation, this event will be an experience you can be proud of. Prepare yourself with general knowledge about the National MS Society and MS, details about the event, and how to prepare for the walk.

3. ReALLY HAVING FUN Walk MS can be more than a fundraising event — it can be a joyous celebration of how far we’ve come together! This is an opportunity to share a great experience with friends and family members, or coworkers— a community coming together for a common goal and the accomplishment of a unique personal challenge! Experiencing the Walk MS as part of a team can make your experience that much more fun. Continue reading for more information on joining or forming a team.

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Team Travelers Susan Arndt, Team Captain Walk MS: Atlanta - Largest Team

why walk alone? There are many benefits to forming and walking on a team. It’s a lot of fun! Participating in Walk MS is more enjoyable when you have a group of teammates to support and encourage you along the way. By forming a team, training and fundraising is easier and more fun leading up to the event as you work together toward your goals. Everyone loves to win! Teams can compete for top awards such as Top Fundraising Team. Encourage team building! Team involvement is a great way to network within your company and in the corporate community. It is an opportunity to meet people you normally would only pass at the copier or in the elevator. By forming a corporate team you can give your co-workers or employees the opportunity to work together towards a goal in a fun, social setting. Enhance moral and employee retention! Company involvement promotes loyalty among employees and general goodwill within the company. Participation as a team encourages community involvement and camaraderie. Working together to achieve a common goal brings everyone together. Increase Recognition! Your marketing department will thank you for the additional exposure your company will receive. Thousands of event participants and volunteers, the media and lots of our supporters will see your team. By wearing company t-shirts, you can gain valuable exposure. INTERESTED IN FORMING A TEAM? Call the National MS Society – Georgia Chapter office at 678-6721000. Team Captain Manuals can be provided with recruitment ideas, fundraising and training tips. Team Captains will also receive team captain e-mails with tips and advice on team recruitment and fundraising. National MS Society Staff are also available to visit your company to promote the Walk and meet with your management team. Schedule a “Lunch & Learn” session at your company to encourage team growth and answer questions for prospective recruits. The National MS Society is here to help every step of the way!

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Fundraising Tips Walk MS is more than just a walk in the park – it’s a walk with a mission. The National MS Society is dedicated to ending the devastating effects of multiple sclerosis and as a walker, you will help us reach this goal. Try these fun and creative ideas to increase your fundraising efforts.

THE BASICS ∫ Set Goals! Determine a personal goal and let your supporters know what dollar amount you are aspiring to reach. ∫ Have Enthusiasm! Excitement shows potential donors that you are enthusiastic about their support. ∫ Share Why You Walk! If you are walking in honor of a loved one with MS, include their story and picture in any letters or emails that you send out. If you don’t have a personal connection to MS, contact the National MS Society, Georgia Chapter to find out about the Champions Against MS program. ∫ Show Commitment! Make the first pledge yourself. ∫ Don’t Apologize! You are doing something good for the community, so don’t apologize for asking for support. People will respect you for the commitment you’ve made to a worthy cause. ∫ Make a List of Places That You Spend Money! Donations to the National MS Society are tax deductible, and we will be glad to provide receipts. Do not forget doctors, dry cleaners, dentists, hairdressers, mechanics and your favorite restaurants! ∫ Send Letters & Emails! Send an announcement of your plan to participate to friends, business associates, church members, family and old acquaintances. Do not forget companies, organizations and school newsletters! ∫ Get Educated! You can contact the National MS Society, Georgia Chapter and request useful materials full of information. Also, visit www.nationalmsociety.org/gaa for more information.

GOING THE EXTRA MILE ∫ Have A Party! For a donation, throw a party. Host a dinner party and treat your guests to a homecooked meal in exchange for a donation to your cause; throw a birthday party for someone, but instruct guests to give donations to the walk, in lieu of gifts. Hold a wine tasting at a local wine merchant - ask the merchant to donate the wine and cheese for the tasting and charge a cover. ∫ Go Out! Organize a night out at a local restaurant or bar where a portion of the proceeds go to your efforts. Get a band that is willing to donate their services and charge a cover at the door. ∫ Host An Event At Work! The office is a great place to go and get people to support your efforts. With permission, raffle off tickets for either a day off or a parking space close to the door. Have employees pay a fee to be able to dress down one day. Create a challenge between offices or departments. ∫ Pin-Up Sales: If you work somewhere with lots of foot traffic, ask about Walk MS pin-up sales — an easy way to quickly raise money. ∫ Speak At A Civic Organization Or Place Of Worship! Ask to be placed on the agenda at the next meeting or service. Ask the group to vote to support your effort, join your team or be volunteers! ∫ Sell Something! Join forces with your team members to host an auction, garage sale, or bake sale. Hold a silent auction in the lobby or break room - start on Monday and conclude on Friday (pay day).

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Simple Steps To Online Success! My Participant Center 1. Set up your Personal Web Page – Your personal web page is your invitation to the world to become involved in the movement. We’re here to help you reach your goals. Please let us know how we can help! By setting up a web page, you are setting yourself up for success. Here are a few hints to help make your page one to remember: ∫ Make it personal – Put in a picture of you or your team. Write your story and how you are moving toward a world free of MS. While there is sample text available, nothing is more compelling than your own words. ∫ Change it often – Keep your page current to generate interest. Provide updates on how your training is going or how close you are to your goal through the blog feature. ∫ Create a URL shortcut – By doing this you will be able to easily direct people to your page. Put a link to your fundraising page in the signature of your email. 2. FundraisE ONline – Now for the fun part! After you send your personalized e-mail to all your friends, family and colleagues, you can watch your up-to-the-minute fundraising tracker. Our online tools make it simple for your supporters to donate online to keep you moving toward your fundraising goals. 3. Encourage others to join you! – Encourage your friends & family to join you as a walker or volunteer by registering online. If you are part of a team, direct them to the team’s web page for easy registration.

Online Resources The Walk MS website has a plethora of helpful information to assist you in your fundraising efforts. The following items are available for download at www.walkMSgeorgia.org: ∫ Sample Fundraising Letter/Emails ∫ My Participant Center How-To Guide Fundraise with Facebook! ∫ Registration and Pledge Forms ∫ Event Schedule ∫ Event and Society Logos With the Walk MS Boundless Fundraising application, participants can now extend their fundraising efforts to their social networks on Facebook. Log in to your online Participant Center for more details.

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Not available in all markets.

double your pledges with matching gifts! Many companies sponsor matching gift programs to encourage employees to support numerous charities and non-profit organizations. Most companies match dollar for dollar and some may even double or triple match a donor’s gift. By informing your donors of this opportunity, you could greatly increase your fundraising total with little effort.

Helpful Tips for Matching Gifts ∫ Spread the Word About Matching Gifts: Encourage all of your event donors to see if their company participates in a matching gift program. Please remind your donors to include information on whose event campaign they are supporting so the gift will be credited to the correct event participant’s account. ∫ Have Matching Gift Forms When You Approach Your Coworkers: If your company participates in a matching gift program, have the forms available when you approach your coworkers to donate. When a coworker makes a contribution, you can hand them a form to complete. ∫ The Earlier the Better: Providing the matching gift forms on the weekend of the event or even before will ensure that your matching gift will be included with your current year’s total. To assist us in the process, please include a copy of your pledge form for the National MS Society to reference.

Strong Stones for Mary Ann Nancy Catalino, Team Captain

Top Fundraiser Kara Runsten and Mother, Lynn

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TOP 100 CLUB The Top 100 Club is an exclusive club available to fundraisers who achieve the highest fundraising pledges among all participants of Walk MS: Georgia. Ranking for the 2011 Top 100 Club will be based on participants’ 2010 fundraising and will be tabulated as of the deadline of September 30, 2010. There is no fixed dollar amount that guarantees club membership. To find out more about this special club, and the exclusive benefits available to club members, visit the website at www.walkMSgeorgia.org. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society would not be able to fund cutting-edge research, provide services, host programs, or educate healthcare professionals and the public if it were not for the extraordinary fundraising efforts of those who support Walk MS: Georgia. Once again, we’d like to show our appreciation to the 2010 Top 100 Club: Amt. Ranking Name Raised

Amt. Ranking Name Raised

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36

37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72

73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100

Pam Gardner Chuck Paul Robert Stepowany Peter Bade Therese Stepowany Michael Combs Steven Farmer David Sirna Tina Flanagan Abby Karsch Susan Steinberg Cayce Carter Brent Wilkes Millie Brune Sallie Hunt Brian Ozden Scott Wigley Jake Bradford Cherryl Harris Kelly Freeman Amy Howe Elizabeth Barfield Susan Walsh Linda Hilscher Martha Matthews Julia Murphy Cris Areskog Eben Hollingsworth Dawn Dorsey Cynthia Nofi Todd Hardy Amy Ingram Denise Felch Diane Wright Tom Holler Eric Stepowany

$22,686 $14,295 $12,200 $11,775 $10,577 $9,795 $7,000 $5,911 $5,180 $5,126 $4,900 $4,390 $4,100 $3,860 $3,680 $3,647 $3,510 $3,425 $3,300 $3,290 $3,085 $3,070 $3,070 $2,945 $2,944 $2,790 $2,713 $2,695 $2,587 $2,475 $2,425 $2,370 $2,340 $2,325 $2,195 $2,183

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Sabrina Cuadra Janet Spivey Jennifer Bond Mose Holland Linda Agnello Jeffery Cook Kathleen Hurley Jacob Michels Mary Beth Ritthaler Lisa Hecht Julie Bumpus Caroline Kulinski Christy Steadman Rachel Stepowany Brenda Hawkins Catherine Mock Jessica Sampson Eria McCarty Dawn Stone Leslie Farmer Patrice DeHaney Kelli Zaremba Robert Udwin Charlotte Wilson Britney Vollmer Lee Kordel Cris Davis Megan Miller David Hicks Colette Jenkins Cathy Cribbs Stephanie Ivy Kelly McMahon David Waggoner Sean Jeppesen Dee Schumann

$2,092 $2,050 $2,010 $2,000 $1,950 $1,900 $1,850 $1,830 $1,825 $1,786 $1,700 $1,650 $1,605 $1,590 $1,535 $1,500 $1,492 $1,450 $1,440 $1,440 $1,425 $1,396 $1,370 $1,358 $1,355 $1,355 $1,350 $1,350 $1,325 $1,325 $1,305 $1,280 $1,270 $1,265 $1,245 $1,240

Lindsey Snyder Lori Manns Carson Matthews Beth Dieterich Monica Senior Shelley Evans Nina Rowland Thomas Pitts Lorraine White Georgiann Caruso Amy Stiso Monica Murack David Neeck Jennifer Gotch Russ Johnson Alan Hampton Sandy McLaughlin Charlotte Ray Mike Freeman Bob Stuth Jessica Sklanka Bill Mumpower Robin Wilks David Cantrell Rick Stone Melissa Fuller Stacey Klias Melody O’Hare

$1,235 $1,225 $1,208 $1,205 $1,190 $1,144 $1,139 $1,120 $1,105 $1,100 $1,100 $1,085 $1,065 $1,055 $1,050 $1,050 $1,050 $1,034 $1,020 $1,001 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $975 $965 $964 $963

GENERAL INFORMATION Additional information on the following topics can be found at www.walkMSgeorgia.org. Registration & Check-In Registration and Check-In begins one hour before the Walk, except in Atlanta and Marietta where registration will begin 2 hours before the Walk. All Walkers must check in at the Registration Tent the morning of the Walk, even if they have pre-registered for the event, to turn in an individually signed waiver form. In addition, they may turn in any collected contributions and pledge envelopes. Top 100 Club members may pick up their Walker number and gifts at the VIP Tent. Waiver Forms All walkers must sign and turn in a waiver form the morning of the Walk. This waiver can be found on the back of your pledge envelope (which will be mailed to you) or at the Registration Tent the morning of the Walk. Pledge Envelopes If you have pre-registered two weeks in advance, you will receive a pledge envelope in the mail prior to the event weekend. To speed up the registration and checkin process on the morning of the event, please fill out both sides in its entirety, place all collected donations to-date in the envelope and seal the envelope. Financial Commitment First and foremost, Walk MS Georgia is a series of fundraising events to support the research, programs, and services provided by the National MS Society. The Georgia Chapter of the National MS Society does not currently charge a registration fee or require a minimum pledge amount to participate. However, each Walk participant is individually responsible for collecting and turning in money. NOTE: There is a cost to the National MS Society for every person who registers to walk. So the society actually LOSES money when someone registers and does not raise money. T-Shirts The coveted Walk MS event t-shirt is available to all participants raising a minimum of $100 or more. All participants who turn in $100 or more before or on the day of the Walk will receive their t-shirt at Walk MS.

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Participants turning in pledges after the Walk will be able to request a t-shirt at that time. Only one shirt per person will be given. Route Walk MS routes are 5k (roughly 3 miles). There are rest stops along each route, stocked with healthy, highenergy snacks and drinks. Roads will NOT be closed to vehicular traffic. Please respect pedestrian and motorist laws. Support As with all National MS Society events, your day will be filled with pampering, food and great fun with the greatest volunteers in the business providing support! Support and Gear (SAG) vehicles are driven by volunteers who patrol the routes between rest stops. SAGs will transport participants to a rest stop if medical attention is needed or if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re just plain tired! Additionally, medical support personnel will be available at all times. Food You will receive energizing snacks and beverages at each rest stop. Depending on your Walk site, a light breakfast and/or lunch may be served. Contingency Plans All walks are held RAIN or SHINE! Wear appropriate clothing. Under most conditions, the Walk will continue. In the event of severe weather (e.i., snow, tornadoes or severe thunder and lightning), the National MS Society staff may temporarily stop the Walk by holding you at rest stops or cancel the Walk. We ask for your cooperation with this policy, as your safety is our first concern. Participants Under 18 All participants under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, age 21 years or older. The adult must stay with the participating minor on the route at all times. If the minor at any time is transported by a SAG, an adult must accompany him/her.

Going The Extra Mile! Champions Against MS: The Champions Against MS program has become a special way for walkers to connect with people in the community living with MS. It is an opportunity for walkers to personalize their experience by walking for someone with MS. Walk for someone you know or, if you do not know someone with MS, the Champions Against MS program will pair you with one of our clients served by the National MS Society. For more information, contact the National MS Society, Georgia Chapter at 1-800-FIGHTMS/678.672.1000. Mission Possible: Participants who raise $1 for every person with MS we serve in Georgia are eligible to receive a beautiful Mission Possible plaque. The local chapter provides client programs to 8,500 Georgians seeking services from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Set a goal for yourself to be a member of this prestigious club. Tour Of Champions: The Tour of Champions award goes to the highest caliber of fundraisers. When you raise a minimum of $10,000, you will join other top fundraisers from around the country for a weekend long get-away at a great destination. Airfare and hotel accommodations are provided at no cost to the participant. You will get an opportunity to share your drive and passion for fundraising and success stories with others. For an additional $5,000 raised, you may invite a guest to the Tour of Champions.

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2010 Walk MS Event Dates & Deadlines March 20

Walk MS: SOUTHWEST GEORGIA TIME: Registration begins at 9:00 am/ Walk begins at 10:00 am LOCATION: Albany, GA - Darton College (www.darton.edu)

March 27

Walk MS: NORTHEAST GEORGIA TIME: Registration begins at 9:00 am/ Walk begins at 10:00 am LOCATION: Athens, GA - Oconee Veterans Park (www.ocprd.com)

Walk MS: CHATTAHOOCHEE VALLEY TIME: Registration begins at 9:00 am/ Walk begins at 10:00 am LOCATION: Columbus, GA - Golden Park (Next To Civic Center)

April 17

Walk MS: Coastal empire TIME: Registration begins at 9:00 am/Walk begins at 10:00 am LOCATION: Pooler, GA (Savannah) - Tom Tripplet Community Park

Walk MS: MIDDLE GEORGIA TIME: Registration begins at 9:00 am/ Walk begins at 10:00 am LOCATION: Macon, GA - Geico Corporate Campus

May 1

Walk MS: Northwest Georgia TIME: Registration begins at 9:00 am/Walk begins at 10:00 am LOCATION: Rome, GA - Berry College (www.berry.edu/)

Walk MS: EAST CENTRAL GEORGIA TIME: Registration begins at 9:00 am/ Walk begins at 10:00 am LOCATION: Augusta, GA - Lake Olmstead (Next to Stadium)

May 8

Walk MS: MARIETTA TIME: Registration begins at 8:00 am/Walk begins at 10:00 am LOCATION: Marietta Square (www.mariettasquare.com)

May 15

Walk MS: Atlanta TIME: Registration begins at 8:00 am/Walk begins at 10:00 am LOCATION: Piedmont Park (www.piedmontpark.org)

June tbd

Walk MS Awards and Volunteer Recognition Party

Pledge Deadline All pledge monies are due one month after the Walk takes place. Top 100 Club Pledge monies will be accepted towards Club ranking through Sept. 30, 2010 (close of fiscal year).

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1-800-FIGHTMS | www.walkMSgeorgia.org