Raleigh MS Walk on 3/24

[Chuffed2Bits]

I'm in. Not to hijack your thread, remember the Raleigh MS Walk on 3/24, everybody!

Ah yes Dave......thanks so much for mentioning the Raleigh Walk! I was going to post so I guess I will continue your hijacking! :)

I want to give again a brief introduction to those of you who don't know. I am the member of the club that has MS. I personally value the club's involvement with the MS Society. I also just want to give you just a brief background on my personal MS story....I hope you don't mind me taking a moment of your time for it.

I was diagnosed with MS 11 years ago and I worked full time up until 4 years ago when an attack landed me in the hospital unable to walk and barely able to talk. Through months of physical and occupational therapy, I did recover from that "attack" and as you all know, I can talk now! LOL However, due to many other problems associated with the MS, I no longer work and I am on social security disability and medicare...something I never thought I would see in my 30's.

When I was at the bowling get together this past weekend, I did get a chance to tell Mark that I have recently been having trouble with my eyes and I have a blind spot in my right eye....but it is a blind spot I can see through....yes, I know that doesn't make sense. But it is not uncommon for people with MS to have problems with their eyes. I have had to stop taking my MS medication because it is obviously not working for me any longer. (By the way, did you know that the MS medications that are available cost about $1,000 a month?) My neurologist's office participates regularly in clinical trials for MS drugs and I have been enrolled in a clinical trial for a t-cell vaccination for MS.

I wanted to share my story with you all because sometimes having somewhat of a personal connection drives people to volunteer. I also cannot stress enough to you guys how truly thankful that people with MS are for all of the volunteers that help out with the walks or the bike tours. Without you, these events wouldn't be possible.

I am also a self help group leader for the Eastern NC Chapter of the MS Society and I have told them the the Tarheel MINI Club has already said that they have expressed interest in helping them get set up for the walk in the Triangle on Saturday, March 24. I would like to provide them with a count as soon as possible, as well as everyone's t-shirt sizes. And again, I can't thank you guys enough. Know that you are appreciated.

~Lyn

[Chuffed2Bits]

I just wanted to update you guys on what they are looking for. They are looking for volunteers to set up and tear down. Here is a copy of the e-mail that I received from the development coordinator at the Eastern NC Chapter of the MS Society that describes what they are looking for from the club....

Hi Lyn,

Thanks again for recruiting volunteers for the MS Walk. The Set up crew works from 6:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. and we need 5-6 people. We also need help tearing down/cleaning up for those who are not early risers from noon until 3:00 p.m. If these jobs don’t fit your crew just let me know and we’ll find another place for them. Thanks.

[MidnightDave]

Lyn, I'll be a tear down / clean up type, that way I don't have to get up at 3:30am!

A Large T-shirt should do it...

[Chuffed2Bits]

Lyn, I'll be a tear down / clean up type, that way I don't have to get up at 3:30am!

Awesome Dave! :) What size t-shirt do you need?

[HotRodPilot]

I'll be in for the 12:00pm to 3:00pm cleanup, but I'll switch to the morning if you have an overabundance of help in the afternoon and an underabundance in the morning. I'd like a medium size shirt, thanks.

[Chuffed2Bits]

Okay guys, since it seems that the early morning shift seems might be a problem for the club, I have contacted Phoebe at the Society and asked her if there is another position we could fill in addition to the tear down/clean up (like she mentioned in her e-mail). So, I will post that position as soon as I get a response from her. But do me proud guys!


~Lyn

[Chuffed2Bits]

Okay.....I have new options available for those of you who don't live in the triangle area. The position of set up is still needed and available, so let me know if you want to do that. But Phoebe at the Society has contacted me with further options with with later starting times. So, here are the further options per Phoebe's e-mail. I do need a final tally for her by the end of the month. And if I could please get everyone's first and last names in addition to their shirt sizes because they will have a list of volunteers at volunteer check in. If you would like, you can e-mail it directly to me at saffebe@earthlink.net instead of posting it to the thread. Anyway, here are the new options....

Hi Lyn,

They could help to cheer on people and hand out stickers at the finish line any time from 10:30 until 2:00 or they could help staff rest stops from 8:45 until 1:00. Is 8:45 still too early? There is also the kids game area from 11:30 until 2:00. Thanks Lyn.

[HotRodPilot]

Lyn,

I'll get there about 11:00AM and I can hand out stickers at the finish line for an hour 'till the tear down / clean up starts. Full name is Richard Tucker, still on for a medium shirt. Thanks!

[Chuffed2Bits]

Lyn,

I'll get there about 11:00AM and I can hand out stickers at the finish line for an hour 'till the tear down / clean up starts. Full name is Richard Tucker, still on for a medium shirt. Thanks!

Thanks so much! I appreciate your help! :) I'm keeping track of everyone and I will turn in the list to Phoebe at the Society at the first part of next month.

~Lyn

[TWISTER]

Lyn,
I'm planning on being there but there is a small hurdle. I need to see if it plays a role on that weekend. Our 17th Anniversary is the 24th. I'll let you know.

Thanks so much for getting involved in another worthwhile cause.

[HPUdrew]

I'm looking into this and trying to fit it in. Hopefully I can pull it off. I'll let you know as soon as I do, and what times I can do this. Good luck!

Drew

[Chuffed2Bits]

Lyn,
I'm planning on being there but there is a small hurdle. I need to see if it plays a role on that weekend. Our 17th Anniversary is the 24th. I'll let you know.

Thanks so much for getting involved in another worthwhile cause.

Hey Mark!

I certainly can understand if you can't make it....wouldn't want to put you in the dog house on the day! :p Just keep me posted. :) I am not sure exactly what I will be doing that day as of yet. The Society has asked if I will dress up that day, so you guys just might see me in costume....who knows! But it will be a fun day!

~Lyn

[scooter]

Mary and I will be there. We'll be there about 8:30 so we could work the rest stops if needed

Medium shirt for Mary and XL for me

Need directions

[Chuffed2Bits]

Mary and I will be there. We'll be there about 8:30 so we could work the rest stops if needed

Medium shirt for Mary and XL for me

Need directions

Awesome! Thanks so much! Can I just get your first and last names to turn in to the Society? (Forgive me, I am bad with names and I can't keep track of everyone's names and IDs!) The walk will be at Imperial Center in RTP. I can tell you that it is the Page Rd. exit off of I-40 and the Society will have it marked for you to follow signs....it is almost right off of the interstate. However, I will get specific directions to post here for all of you.

~Lyn

[scooter]

Mary and Keith Patterson

[Chuffed2Bits]

Mary and Keith Patterson

Thanks! Call me a ditzy blonde if ya want.....I don't mind. LOL

[MidnightDave]

Hey lady, it's me, Dave again. I'll get there at 11am like Rich and fall in line with him or wherever you need me...

[CooperSKart]

I'm planning on this, I just need to check the schedule to see exactly when I (possibly my wife also) can help out. I'll update you soon when I've firmed this up.

[Chuffed2Bits]

Hey lady, it's me, Dave again. I'll get there at 11am like Rich and fall in line with him or wherever you need me...

Hey Dave,

So, you will be there to hand out stickers at the finish line for an hour or so until clean up time around noon? Am I reading this right?

~Lyn

[Chuffed2Bits]

I'm planning on this, I just need to check the schedule to see exactly when I (possibly my wife also) can help out. I'll update you soon when I've firmed this up.

Just let me know names, shirt sizes and job positions so I can let the Society know. :) Thanks so much you guys!

~Lyn

[CooperSKart]

Lyn,

I can make the 6 am set up crew (I should be able to scrape myself out of bed in time :p ) since I'm local. If thats already full I can do the 8:45 am shift. My wife, though is going out of town that day so she can't make it.

Mike Cunningham
Size L

[Chuffed2Bits]

Lyn,

I can make the 6 am set up crew (I should be able to scrape myself out of bed in time :p ) since I'm local. If thats already full I can do the 8:45 am shift. My wife, though is going out of town that day so she can't make it.

Mike Cunningham
Size L

Thanks so much Mike! I know they will appreciate some early help! From past experience (though don't hold me to it :p), there should be coffee and other stuff there for the early crew. (I only say don't hold me to it because I know what a grump I am without my coffee! But there has always been coffee there in the past....it was just gone by the time I got there, but in the past I have not worked the early bird shift....I got there about 9:00)

~Lyn

[MidnightDave]

Hey Dave,

So, you will be there to hand out stickers at the finish line for an hour or so until clean up time around noon? Am I reading this right?

~Lyn

Yes indeedee! Looking forward to it!

[Chuffed2Bits]

Awesome Dave!! I've got ya down! It will be a fun day! There will be live music and food is being catered by Carrabba's. :)

~Lyn

[Chuffed2Bits]

We are nearing the end of the month and I need to turn in the list of volunteers to the society by March 1st. So, if you have not responded all ready and you would like to help out, please let me know what position you would like to help out with, your first and last name and what size shirt you need. :)

And once again, I want to thank you all for stepping up! It will be a fun day!

~Lyn

[scooter]

We are ready but do you have the directions to the location yet?

[Chuffed2Bits]

We are ready but do you have the directions to the location yet?

Yes! :) And here they are.....

DIRECTIONS: From I-40, take exit 282, Page Road. If traveling 40 W turn right at end of ramp onto Page. Make a left onto Emperor Blvd. Turn right onto Slater. Turn left into Chelsea Place and park behind the building on the left. If traveling 40 E, continue straight at bottom of ramp crossing Page onto Emperor Blvd. Turn right onto Slater. Turn left into Chelsea Place and park behind the building on the left.

[HotRodPilot]

So who'll be there tomorrow?

So far it looks like Keith and Mary, Dave, Mike and myself

[scooter]

Mary and I plan to be there about 8:30. Is there a specific place we need to check in to find out what we will be doing:
Keith

[Chuffed2Bits]

I am out the door to an appointment, but I do have everyone's assignments and I will reconfirm them here this afternoon for everyone. When you all arrive, just check in at volunteer check in....it will be marked. :-)

~Lyn

[Chuffed2Bits]

Here are everyone's assignments that I turned in to the Society.....this was according to what everyone posted they would volunteer for. :-)

~Lyn

Dave Shearer (large t-shirt)--he will arrive @ 11:00 to hand out stickers at the finish line and will stay for tear down and clean up

Rich Tucker (medium t-shirt)--he will arrive @ 11:00 to hand out stickers at the finish line and will stay for tear down and clean up

Mary Patterson (medium t-shirt) & Keith Patterson (XL t-shirt)--they will arrive @ 8:30 and will work rest stops

Mike Cunningham (large t-shirt)--he will arrive @ 6:30 and will do set up

[Chuffed2Bits]

P.S. Just an FYI, I will be at the Society's Mission Tent from 10:00-12:00 if any of y'all want to stop by and say hi. And don't forget to stay and enjoy your complimentary lunch from Carrabba's. I also believe Carolina Brewing Company will be there with free beer, but don't quote me on that one.

[MidnightDave]

I'll be there with bells on! No really, you'll see...

[MidnightDave]

What a great time for a great cause! Next year, we need more participation fromTHMMC. This is so rewarding to spend the day listening to GREAT music, sharing the joy of life with like minded folks, while helping a REALLY important cause.

Here are pic's, starting with reason we do it, for people like our own Lyn!

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/1334/img2452ws3.jpg

http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/6044/img2449lz1.jpg

There was a birthday cake, but it took a little spill...didn't stop me from eating the frosting off the top!

http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/3656/img2448ls7.jpg

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/2798/img2462cw4.jpg

[MidnightDave]

The dogs were out in force!

http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/7128/img2447ly3.jpg

http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/4318/img2460st8.jpg

http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/5135/img2445jx0.jpg

One even had lunch!

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/1150/img2455lh6.jpg

[MidnightDave]

Lots of cute girls, too!

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/8782/img2441ok9.jpg

What did you think I meant? Shame on you!

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/3499/img2451zb9.jpg

http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/7126/img2454bu5.jpg

Okay, so my girlfriend was there, since my wifey couldn't make it...

http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/6199/img2473hu0.jpg

[MidnightDave]

A couple different kinds of bikers made the scene...

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/9202/img2463be5.jpg

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/600/img2438le4.jpg

And there was a GREAT catered lunch!

http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/5838/img2472iq1.jpg

http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/2548/img2468yl6.jpg

[MidnightDave]

A few basketball fans showed up...

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/1396/img2443hu2.jpg

and a kabillion people

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/1194/img2440lg3.jpg

http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/9404/img2439ae3.jpg

...all of whom enjoyed the band...including me! (Fortunately there are no pics of me dancing with the dumpster--don't ask, the heat was getting to me!)

http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/4514/img2437gj9.jpg

[CooperSKart]

Dancing with the dumpster??! I wish I had stuck around a bit longer to see that! And I liked your bells (jester hat for those wondering) MidnightDave - it definately made you easy to spot. It was fun (a bit tiring too) with really good music & wonderful Carrabbas (my wife & I have started patronizing them more often since they seem to do so many of these charity events) food.

[Chuffed2Bits]

I want to thank you guys SOOOOO much for coming out! I had a great time and I am glad that you guys enjoyed yourselves. I really would like to see more of the club there next year, I think that maybe the hard work y'all did directing traffic at the Bike Tour might have scared some of y'all off! But really guys, the triangle walk is a lot of fun. Regardless, I am still thankful for those of you that came out! :-) So, once again, thank you, thank you, thank you!

[MidnightDave]

I saved the best for last! The beer jerseys, the laderhosen, (sp), the dancing girls and the pirate!

No, really! You'll see...

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/8668/img2442zc0.jpg

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/3958/img2470jj6.jpg

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/5138/img2464gz0.jpg

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/4627/img2453bg6.jpg

I don't know which is funnier, his beer, his watch, or the expression on his wife's face. "Yeah, yeah, he's striking his pirate pose again, he's a pirate, sheesh!"

[Chuffed2Bits]

Great pics Dave!

~Lyn

[scooter]

We had a good time in spite of the rude locals we were teamed up with at rest stop #4. The two that were there and not even registered were the best. If this is the caliber people in the triangle area we probably will not come back. We'll just do one closer to home

[MidnightDave]

Whoa! Sorry to hear that? Everybody I dealt with was great, of course we were at the finish line...

Here are a couple more pics.

Lyn and Mike

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/8203/mswalk2007329oh9.jpg

Lyn and yours truly

http://img487.imageshack.us/img487/6792/mswalk2007338wr8.jpg

[Chuffed2Bits]

What happened? I'd be interested in knowing so that I can give feedback to the Society. I hate to hear that you had a bad experience. :-( Please don't let that spoil your view of the Raleigh locals or the Eastern Chapter of the MS Society. But I again thank you for driving all that way and I feel really bad that you had the bad experience.

~Lyn

[CooperSKart]

I'm sorry to hear that you had a bad experience with the crew you were with also and I hope that it doesn't prevent you from volunteering with these type events in the future. However, that said, please don't cast blanket aspersions on people in the Triangle just because you ran into a few 'bad apples'. When we were helping with the bike ride in High Point one guy in a pickup (presumably a local) gave me the finger and another (well dressed and in a big SUV) gave me a nasty look and said something distinctly unpleasant when we were stopping traffic to let the bikes go into the fininsh area - but this doesn't mean that they are representing the caliber of all the people in the Triad.

I grew up in the Triangle, and I went to college and lived in the Triad for several years, and now some of my family lives in the Triad, so I am very familiar with both areas and I know that there are plenty of wonderful people and plenty of (insert whatever term for unpleasant people) in both areas.

[Chuffed2Bits]

I agree with you Mike. There certainly can be "bad apples" in both the Triad and the Triangle areas of the state. I hate that these few gave a negative representation of the Triangle, but as Mike said, it should not be a blanket representation. I met so many friendly people on Saturday.....both participants and volunteers. Judging from the 350+ photographs that my friend took for the Society, everyone was having a good time. :D

~Lyn

[simplygriff]

Great pics once again Dave! Sorry we couldn't make it out for this.
-G

[Silver_Phoenix]

I saved the best for last! The beer jerseys, the laderhosen, (sp), the dancing girls and the pirate!

No, really! You'll see...







http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/4627/img2453bg6.jpg

I don't know which is funnier, his beer, his watch, or the expression on his wife's face. "Yeah, yeah, he's striking his pirate pose again, he's a pirate, sheesh!"


Ok, so what about this guys hiking boots? Deffinately not period wear....

That guy we saw running on the roadside when we were trekking our way from King to Lewisville from the run on 66 should have went, he would have went well with the pirate garb considering he was wearing (what?) a wife beater, spandex biker shorts and a cowboy hat.... Did he have running shoes or cowboy boots on?

Although, you do got to give the pirate "props" for being as "creative" as he was..... drew more attention to himself and the cause.....