Fundraising at its finest!

Paul really goes all out on his fundraising approach for the Johnson MS Bike. With the help of his daughter, Paul created a blog to show those in his network what he is doing to prep for the event and why they should donate to help end Canada's disease.

"A lot of my fundraising asks are done through email to friends, family and clients. I put a distribution list of contacts together and share my story through my blog. I find it more effective than sending out a blind carbon copy email as my emails include some entertainment. The blog includes photos of me out riding, or photos from other fundraising events. I was at a client event recently and used it as an opportunity to fundraise for the Johnson MS Bike, so I included this on my blog as well."

"Every two weeks I update the blog and email it out to my distribution list, I also post the link to my blog on Facebook, and have had a great response!" Paul also makes an effort to start his fundraising when the snow starts to melt to make sure he allows his network ample time to consider contributing to the cause. "I send out my initial ask at the start of March, and then send them all the way through to after the ride when I send an epilogue to thank all who pledge me." Paul says.

Heading into his third year at the Grand Bend to London event, he's always looking to connect with other participants to find out why they ride, which continues to inspire him, "The first year I participated, I thought I had done all the training I could. I was still nervous about actually doing the ride when a guy pulled up right next to me at the start line on an old bike, running shoes and attire you would not see many people cycling in. We started chatting and he told me his mother had MS and this is what he's doing in order to help her, but shared the same worries as I did about actually cycling." Paul says.

Chatting with this gentleman really put the event into perspective for Paul, "There wasn't necessarily someone in my life I was cycling for, but now I look at this event through the eyes of those directly affected by MS, and it's the perfect motivation."

The MS Society is proud to announce that Johnson Insurance, a leading provider of home and auto insurance, has signed an agreement to become the title sponsor of the MS Bike in Ontario! Johnson's sponsorship will help the MS Society to increase its commitment to funding MS research through the donations made to participants across the province!

This partnership builds on the success of the Johnson MS Bike in Alberta, now in its fourth year.

"Having been a witness of the successful partnership between the MS Society and Johnson in Alberta, I am very pleased Johnson in Ontario is becoming title sponsor of the MS Bike in this province. Giving back to local communities has always been important for Johnson Insurance," says Alex Rafuse, Regional Vice President, Johnson, Ontario. "Thriving Communities is an important pillar in our Corporate Responsibility strategy and we are constantly looking for ways to create positive impacts in society. We believe we can do so here in Ontario with our involvement in the MS Bike event."

"Canada has the highest rate of MS in the world. It's not something we're proud of, but we know that Canadians never back down from a challenge," says Owen Charters, Chief Marketing and Development Officer for the MS Society of Canada. "The MS Bike is one of our signature fundraising events that makes a very real impact in supporting people living with multiple sclerosis; Johnson's title sponsorship is a perfect example of a Canadian company stepping up in the fight to end MS."

Johnson's commitment extends beyond simply being the title sponsor: stay tuned in the coming weeks for some great activities to get you ready for the Johnson MS Bike, and boost your fundraising!

About Johnson
For more than 125 years, Johnson has delivered high quality home and auto insurance and plan benefits to Canadians. Today, it is one of the country's leading and fastest growing providers of insurance products and benefits. Johnson believes its success is a direct result of its focus on doing what's right for its customers and employees. In January 1997, The Johnson Corporation became part of the worldwide RSA Group - one of the world's leading insurance companies, writing business in 130 countries.