January 14, 2010 Michael AugustineLisez en Francais
Happy New Year to everyone! I hope the holidays went well and you were able to relax and enjoy the festive season with family, friends and loved ones.
As we say goodbye to the first decade of the millennium, I think we can all look back and say it was a time of change.
But here we are, with renewed purpose and a greater sense of hope and optimism than we’ve had in a long time - for ourselves, for the world and for finding a cure for multiple sclerosis.
Let’s talk about what you can do to make this goal a tangible reality. Every last Saturday in February (this year February 27), people from all corners of the world host an MS Global Dinner Party. This event generates funds by having guests bring a donation in lieu of food, wine, flowers, or any other gifts for the host.
In Canada, proceeds from this event are split between MS Society of Canada research projects and the MS International Federation to support the development and work of the International Paediatric MS Study Group.
The way you use your event to raise money is up to you. You might charge a small admission, hold an auction, or sell tickets for a draw. You can even host a costume party or concert. And don’t worry if February 27 doesn’t work for you – choose another date around this time to hold your event.
Get started now, and you’ll soon be on your way to being among the millions of Canadians who are doing whatever they can to help us win the battle in the fight to end MS.
Not hosting a party yourself? Check to see if any of your acquaintances are holding an event, and donate online to support them.
We can do more than simply feed our bodies; we can feed our souls, and finally satiate our hunger for cure.
Together – we can end MS.
Irreverently Yours,
Aug. who thinks a cure is so close he can almost “taste” it...
Technorati tags: endMS, dinner party
February 09, 2009 Michael AugustineLisez en Francais
I LOVE going out for dinner with friends!
Few things in life are more pleasurable than meeting with the people who are important to you, and then spending an hour or two, breaking bread with them over pleasant conversation, in an atmosphere of deep and mutual respect. It is, I feel, an experience enjoyed the world over by friends and family, who take the time to enjoy each other’s companionship, and to trade stories and share memories.
The Multiple Sclerosis Global Dinner Party (GDP) first began in 2003, as an initiative by the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF), as a means of joining MS Societies around the world in a global MS day. Today, it serves as a way to celebrate these types of gatherings, while enabling those who participate to raise funds to help find a cause and eventual cure for multiple sclerosis. Of the funds generated through the MS GDP, 50% go towards MSIF’s global work, and the remaining 50% go toward the MS Society of Canada’s mission, to be a leader in finding a cure for multiple sclerosis, and to enable people affected by MS to enhance their quality of life.
Back then, this new concept was both something of a mystery, and also a bit of a novelty. While I was only just a recent addition to the board of directors of the Mississauga, Ontario chapter, we had decided to mark the inaugural event by hosting a classic English pub night, partly inspired by one of our chapter staff members, who is originally from “Jolly Ole England.” We enjoyed classic fare such as steak and kidney pie, as well as biscuits with clotted cream and jam, and, of course, we had beer sampling courtesy of a local brewery. When the evening was over, everyone left with full hearts and bellies, and the warm glow inside of having enjoyed the evening with friends, all while knowing we had raised significant funds to help further our goal of being able to end MS!
A good evening was had, indeed!
This movement continues to grow every year, with 35 hosts across Canada having participated in 2008. Last year, the themes of these gatherings were as diverse as the areas in which they were held. One event even celebrated the night with a Bob Fosse inspired motif, including top hat party favors and a Broadway dance routine lesson. In 2008, 11 countries participated in the Global Dinner Party initiative - Australia, Canada, Estonia, Germany, India, Namibia, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, and the USA – of which Canada remained one of the top fundraising nations. We continue to lead the pack, with Canada raising more resources per person - to find a cause and inevitable cure for MS - than any other country in the world!
2009 promises to be the best year yet, with several themes already currently in the works, from comedy and bowling nights, to wine and cheese tasting events. Join us on February 28th – or any date around that time that might work better for you. To register or get more information visit msglobaldinnerparty.ca.
So - eat, drink, be merry... and at the same time help us end MS!
Irreverently Yours,
Aug, who has a BIG appetite for fundraising!
Technorati tags: endMS, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, MS Global Dinner Party