Fundraising Tip #5 – Create a video message to spread the word

With millions visiting YouTube each day, why not try creating a brief video message to tell viewers why raising money for MS Bike is important to you! Post the video to your social media accounts or forward your message on by email. It has been proven that people who use social media channels for fundraising raise six times as much as those who don’t! You can also play the video at social gatherings to show friends and family your dedication to help end MS.

Register for the 2012 MS Bike Tours Today!

 

 
Join the movement to end MS and participate in the largest cycling series in North America. Funds raised* from the MS Bike tours help to provide services and programs for those affected by MS and support research to end the disease.

Find out more about the MS Bike Tour and register at http://www.msbiketours.ca/.

* All registered cyclists must meet the $250 fundraising minimum.

Prince Edward County - July 8
Grand Bend to London - July 28-29
Acton to Waterloo - August 18-19
Niagara - August 26
Toronto - September 9
 

Raise $250 online and receive a $10 RONA gift card!

 

For a limited time only, receive a $10 RONA gift card when you raise funds of $250 or more online between Wednesday, April 25 and May 2nd!*

So, if you’re only starting out with your fundraising, you can receive this prize just by reaching your fundraising minimum!

Good luck on your fundraising and be sure to keep checking the blog for more fundraising tips and incentives! Let us know how you’re doing by sharing on our Facebook or Twitter page!

Register today and join the largest cycling series in North America at msbiketours.ca!

*Fundraise $250 online, between April 25 and May 2, 2012, over and above any previously raised funds in order to be eligible for this incentive. Limit one $10 gift card per registered MS Bike Tour participant.

National Volunteer Week

    

 

In honour of National Volunteer Week, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our amazing volunteers for supporting the work of the MS Society and donating your time to help end MS. We greatly appreciate everything you do to help make a difference in the lives of those living with MS. Your dedication and hard work never goes unnoticed.

For more information about volunteer opportunities, please contact: Nicole Dube at volunteer@mssociety.ca or 1-800-268-7582 ext. 3111.

 

Fundraising Tip #4 - Host a Pancake Breakfast!

 

Planning a pancake breakfast at a community centre -or another community-oriented location -is a great way to increase your fundraising for MS Bike! Providing a nice warm breakfast at a reasonable price will allow people to get involved within their community while donating to an important cause.

You can easily spread the word about your pancake breakfast fundraiser by handing out or posting flyers at your location of choice, advertising the event on your social media accounts or calling your local newspaper to extend an invitation and inquire about free listings.

Volunteer Opportunities at the MS Walk

 
Can’t wait until July or even September to participate in the MS Bike Tour to help end MS? Well then, why not get a kick start by volunteering at the MS Walk on Sunday, April 22?

 

The MS Walk is taking place in 58 communities across Ontario between April 22 and May 27. As it is the MS Society’s largest fundraising event, we always welcome volunteers like you to help with the operation of the entire event. From setting up the site, to preparing and serving meals, to meeting and greeting the participants as they arrive and cheering them through the finish line at the end, there is a job for everybody! Every position plays an essential role and we couldn’t do this without the hundreds of volunteers that assist us year after year.

If you are interested in volunteering for an MS Walk or to learn more about volunteering for the MS Society, please contact Nicole Dube at volunteer@mssociety.ca or 1-800-268-7582 ext. 3111.

April 22, 2012     Various Locations

April 29, 2012     Ottawa
May 6, 2012        Sault Ste. Marie
May 27, 2012      Various Locations

For more information about the MS Walk, visit mswalks.ca or contact us at walk@mssociety.ca or 1-888-822-8467.

 

Make a bigger impact in the movement to end MS: Recruit a friend or family member for FREE!

  

Are you a seasoned MS Bike rider? Have you participated in the past and looking to build a bigger team this year? Then we encourage you take advantage of our special offer: Recruit a NEW participant for FREE*! By bringing a first-time rider with you to an MS Bike Tour, you are helping us to raise more money AND you’re increasing the fun factor for you and your team!

Call us at 1-800-268-7582 to register your friend today!

Prince Edward County - July 8
Grand Bend to London - July 28-29
Acton to Waterloo - August 18-19
Niagara - August 26
Toronto - September 9

(Offer does not apply to Ottawa to Cornwall bike tour)

*Registration fees are waived for first-time riders only. Maximum one referral per alumni. All cyclists must raise a minimum of $250.

 
msbiketours.ca
 

And the winner is...

  

Thank you to everyone who participated in the “Share the Love” story contest that took place on Valentine’s Day.

Congratulations to Mike Murphy, from Team Lambton Financial Credit Union, who won Subway gift cards for all of his team members by writing about his love for his Team Captain, April Williams. You can watch for the runners-up stories in future e-newsletters*.

Read Mike’s story about his Team Captain, April Williams below:

 “I have been participating in the MS Bike Tour - Grand Bend to London with April Williams (Team Lambton Financial Credit Union) for a few years, and she really has set the bar extra high as far as captains go.

April started out by getting our team a dedicated massage therapist at the Grand Bend end, so weary riders could get massaged right away without waiting in the big line ups. April took things a whole lot further by enlisting her husband Chad and daughter Alexia to round up our entire luggage, put it into Chad’s truck and drive it to London. They took things even further by hand delivering our bags up to our rooms, laying our room keys and meal tickets out for us, and to top it all off she got us a couple of coolers filled with ice, beer, pop and coolers.

April has put so much work into being the best captain she can be, that she hasn't had time to ride in the MS Bike Tour herself for the past couple of years. She does all of this because she really truly cares about people, and wants to make sure everyone has the very best time and we're all very well cared for. I call her "Mama April" for a reason!

I love April Williams and I'm proud to be on her team!”

Congratulations to Team Lambton Financial Credit Union! Thank you to all the teams who submitted their inspirational stories!

* If you’d like to sign-up to receive the MS Bike Tour’s e-newsletter, click here.

  

The Early Bird Deadline has been extended for one extra day!

The EARLY BIRD DEADLINE has been extended for today (April 1) only! If you register for the Ontario MS Bike Tour before the end of the day, you can bike in a one-day tour for $20 (Prince Edward County, Niagara or Toronto) or a two-day tour for $35 (Grand Bend to London or Acton to Waterloo)!

Register NOW for the 2012 MS Bike Tour!