MS Walk 2015

This past Saturday was the MS Walk in Wichita.  We have been fundraising for this event for the past few months.  Our team, "Go For Gloria", had 11 registered walkers this year, and 5 more joined us on the day of the walk for a total of 16 team members this year.  We all gathered at Sedgwick County Park before the walk began.

Above, some of our registered team members, left to right: Paul, Gloria, Wyonna, Charles, Phoebe, Sarah, Eric, Silas, Ruth Ann, and Stacee

There was a team t-shirt contest and announcements and recognition of all registered teams before the walk.

After the walk there were hamburgers being grilled, cookies, and some doughnuts, (provided by some of the MS Walk sponsors) for all Walk participants to enjoy.

Below, some "Go For Gloria" team members:  Back row, left to right, Stacee, Jess, Johannah, and Jan.  Front row, left to right, Wyonna, Gloria, and Randy.

Our team was able to raise just over $4,500 this year for the National MS Society.  This amount is more than our team has ever raised! I also raised a personal fundraising high for our team of $3,065.  These funds raised help people affected by MS by:

• Helping fund cutting-edge research aimed at finding the cause of MS, more treatments and, ultimately, ending the disease forever.
• Providing resources and information for people living with MS about a variety of issues through newsletters, publications, education seminars and conferences, and at-home teleconferences.
• Providing direct support and financial assistance for the FDA-approved medications, medical equipment, counseling services, respite, care management, college scholarships, and other emergency assistance.
• Supporting emotional health and physical well-being through a network of self-help groups, a peer support telephone program, wellness programs, and more!
• Reconnecting families affected by MS by coordinating family and social programs, couples retreats, kids camp, and other family support programs.
• Driving change through advocacy at the federal, state and local level to benefit people with MS and their families.

As efficient, effective stewards of their donors' contributions, the National MS Society makes sure that more than 79 cents out of every dollar they raise goes directly to improve the lives of people living with MS through programs, services and research.

Facts and Fundraising Stats for our 2015 "Go For Gloria" team:

• 7 team members raised $100 or more.  3 of them are under the age of 10!
• 2 team members raised over $500.
• 1 team member raised over $1500.

I was very humbled this year as funds kept coming in and pushing our donation total higher and higher.  We had many returning donors and many new donors who choose to donate to the National MS Society this year in my Mom's honor...  Many former students and friends from around Emporia, people whom my Mom has touched their lives in some way or another.... Many cousins and other family members who give support unselfishly time and time again.  We had donors from across the United States... Texas, Missouri, Colorado, Iowa, Oklahoma, Arizona, Nebraska, California, Arkansas, Minnesota, and the Virgin Islands!  I am so grateful for each of you who donated to a cause that I feel is important.  THANK YOU for helping me raise funds, and most importantly THANK YOU for supporting and providing help and hope for all of the people affected by Multiple Sclerosis, including my Mom.

Every step counts.  Every dollar helps.  Every connection matters.

To find out more about Multiple Sclerosis and how you can make a connection, click on the following link.

The National MS Society ~ http://www.nationalmssociety.org/ 

Our Many Faces

One day in April I decided to call out different feelings, or looks, and then shout "GO".  Each kid then had to make THAT FACE.  It really was hilarious to watch them instantly change their faces to what they thought these things should look like.  We did individual pictures and then did some group pictures.  I hope you will get as many laughs as we did as you look through the pictures below of OUR MANY FACES.

*Happy*

*Mad*

*Surprised*

*Scared*

*Mean*

*Sad*

*Excited*

*Silly Face*

*Duck Face*

*Kissy Lips*

*Silly Eyes*

*Tongues*

*Sneaky*

*Crying Face*

*Happy*

*Sad*

*Surprised*

*Mean*

*Sad and Lonely*

*Sour*