Walk MS 2012

This past Saturday was the MS Walk in Emporia.  We have been preparing for this big event for the past few months.  Our team, "Go For Gloria", had 32 registered members there to walk together in support of my Mom.  It was a beautiful day that we got to spend with many family members and friends!

Here is my Mom, Phoebe, Sarah and myself right before we headed up to the Mall to gather with our team members for some fun.

As our team members arrived, my sister Lindsee and cousin Johannah, passed out orange and blue beads for them wear and painted orange and blue on their faces.

                              

Ready for the walk to begin... 

Some of our team members... Pictured left to right:  (top row area) Corky Reber, Mike Miller, Dorothy Bowers, Marcia Smith, Greg Smith, John Koonce, Judy and Ernie Grant, Charles and Wyonna Hastings, Jan and Dale Hastings, Cindy Kienholz, John Harclerode, (middle row area) Shirley McCloud, Regina Falcetto, Jeline Harclerode, Vicki Reber, Janie Koonce, Eric and Phoebe Hendrickson, (front row area) Eric Paul, Lindsee Hastings, Paul Hastings, Sarah Hendrickson, Gloria Hastings, Stacee Hendrickson, Johannah Hastings, and Cameron Kienholz.   Not Pictured: Matt Hastings, Mitch, Karen, and Taylor Moorman, Bryan, Jennifer, Cali, Nate Woerner, Loren and JeanenneWittmer, Kevin, Kathryn, and Brenden Kienholz

My Mom and Sarah got to hold the starting line ribbon and help cut it to begin the walk!  The scissors were too big for Sarah to work, so Uncle Charlie helped her a little.

After the walk there was pizza and snacks for everyone to eat while awards and raffle prizes were handed out.  Our team won an award and I won an individual award.  Our team raised just over $4000 and was the top fundraising team!  I raised approximately $1400 towards our team's total, and was the top individual fundraiser!  The total estimated that the entire walk raised was approximately $11,000!  This is the most that the MS Walk in Emporia has ever raised and doubles what was raised last year.  AMAZING!  Great job to everyone on our team and the other teams for all of the fundraising efforts

Other facts and fundraising stats from our team...

- We had at least 4 people who traveled over 5 hours to walk on our team and support my Mom.

- We had 2 people who traveled over 9 hours to walk on our team and support my Mom.

- We had 10 people on our team who raised $100 or more.  One of these people is only five years old.

- We had 3 people on our team who raised $500 or more.

After the walk my parents hosted our team at their house for a Walk MS party!  We had a lot of great food to eat and some backyard fun.  

Our Family... Eric and Lindsee, Mom and Dad, Matt, Eric, Phoebe, Sarah and I.

From my heart, I want to thank every one of you who donated your money and your time to our cause.  I know there are many things in the world today that you can choose to give of yourself to.  THANK YOU for "Joining the Movement" with me, and for helping me with something that is important to my family and all those affected by Multiple Sclerosis.