Official Publication of

HASTINGS COUNTY CHAPTER MS SOCIETY OF CANADA

The mission of the MS Society of Canada is “To be a leader in finding a cure for multiple sclerosis and enabling people affected by MS to enhance their way of life.”

The Voice of MS in Hastings County Summer 2012

Hastings County Chapter

HastingsHastings HappeningsHappenings

SILENT AUCTION STILL GOING STRONG

The Hastings County Chapter’s annual si-lent auction is still a popular event after

all these years. This venue always draws a large crowd over the first weekend in

May at the Kindness Court in the Quinte Mall in Belleville.

With over 300 items to bid on, there was

something for everyone from small items for children to a $1100 automatic lift

chair. Over the three day event, the chapter

raised almost $5000. It was a lot of hard work but the end result was well worth

the effort.

MS WALK NETS OVER $44.000

The chapter’s largest fundraising event, which was held at Moira Secondary

School on the last Sunday in May brought in over $44,000. A total of 179 walkers

was on hand and the weather cooperated as always.

The walk would not have been as suc-

cessful if it was not for the amazing sup-port of the community and the many

sponsors who are always there year after year. Our volunteers deserve a big pat on

the back for their hard work and commit-ment to the walk.

TOP FUNDRAISERS SUCCESSFUL AGAIN THIS YEAR

A large crowd was on hand at the Quinte Mall as shoppers gathered around the 24 tables holding over 300 items for the

bargain hunters to bid on. The ‘unbeatable warriors’ held the distinction of being the larg-

est team in the MS Walk.

Hastings Happenings is the Official Publication of the HASTINGS COUNTY CHAPTER

Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada P.O. Box 23132, 390 North Front Street, Belleville, Ont, K8P 3E1

Web site: www.mssociety.ca/chapters/hastingscounty

Editor: Cecil Paul 613-242-5177, email at—cecil.paul@sympatico.ca

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MS SUPPORT GROUP MEETING

2nd Thursday of each month Eastminster United Church

432 Bridge Street East Belleville, Ontario

7.00—8.30 p.m.

Tammy Bellamy of Belleville has been the facili-tator for the Hastings County Chapter Support Group for some time. Her informative and cas-ual sessions for people with MS has been very successful. As many as 15 people show up for these monthly get togethers. Tammy says that everyone is welcome to attend.

Message from the Chairperson

This is the first article I am writing as chair-person of the chapter. I joined this board just

over a year ago, because I felt it was a tangi-ble way I could honor the memory of my Aunt

Eileen, who struggled with MS for most of her life. She remained upbeat and cheerful de-spite severe handicaps and at the age of 52,

she was awarded Mother of the Year, an hon-or bestowed upon her by the MS Society of

Canada. I have been pleased to discover our local chapter has some deep roots, and some very

committed members. Cecil Paul (Cecil # 1 as he is now known as!) was at a meeting that

the Hastings County Chapter held at St There-sa’s High School on October 18th, 2001. He is still an active, committed member! That’s

what I mean by deep roots and commitment. I would like to challenge each of our Board

members and volunteers to share your story and forward it to Cecil Paul so he can incorpo-rate it into future newsletters! Whether you

are a person with MS, a family member or friend of someone with MS, or a caregiver, we

would like to hear your story. As a member of the MS Society you have the

opportunity to share your concerns and let others hear what you see as a priority within our community, and working together, we can

help one another. I am looking forward to this coming year, excited to be working with such

a dedicated group and I am looking forward to reading “your story”!

Cecil Proctor

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chairperson ……………………….…….Cecil Proctor Past Chairperson…………..………Denise Nicholls

Acting Secretary……...…...Marlynn Macdonald Treasurer/Education Director…..Joe MacLeod Fundraising Director…………….....Gloria Hogue

Social Action Director/Membership/Newsletter Editor/Webmaster……….Cecil Paul

Members at Large………...…...Lynn McCracken …………………………………………...Larry Carr-Braint ……………………………………...…….Tammy Bellamy

…………………………………………….…...Kelsey Harris ………………………………...………….Colleen Knowles

Story by Cecil Proctor - Chairperson of

Hastings County Chapter.

Volunteers, as the name suggests, are people who

give of their time and energy, to help a community

or a section of society. Most often, the people who

are out there volunteering are not compensated

monetarily or in kind. In fact, they often go unno-

ticed, despite their selfless efforts. Knowing that

they are making a difference is their motivation.

Such is the case of one of our MS Walk volunteers

who has raised funds for several years. In fact, her

overall contribution is an astounding $62,308.00!

I met Deborah Best for this interview, at her store

front on Station Street in Belleville. When you meet

Deborah, it’s not hard to tell why her supporters

continue to give year after year! She’s energetic

and outgoing, and is so proud of her contributions-

and she certainly should be!

Deborah’s inspiration is a childhood friend who had

MS. Deborah has watched as over the years, her

friend struggled, going from a vibrant active young

girl, to being confined to a wheelchair. “I just want

to make a difference, and some day my walking,

will mean a cure, and my friend won’t need the

wheelchair”, she said. I asked Deborah what one of

her most memorable moments were over her years

of canvassing. She though for a moment then told

me this story.

“I knocked on a door, and a sweet elderly lady

came to the door”. “I identified myself and asked

for her support”. The lady said “Of course, I think I

can give you a dollar or two”. Deborah explained to

me that that’s how support often comes in $1.00 or

$2, 00 at a time. “Imagine my surprise”, Deborah

said, “When she returned and presented me with a

check for 50 dollars”.

This year Deborah raised $8,400.00 by herself.

Much of it came from walking door to door. Some

came from donations left in the little box on the

counter at the variety store and the deli she owns

on Station Street. Some came from supporters she

has had since that first year that she participated in

a walk.

I was really moved by her story - and by her! What

a wonderful volunteer! I got ready to go, and as I

was leaving she said, “Can I ask a favour”?” Can

you thank three supporters who have been there

for me over the years”? “This was my last walk and

I want them to know I appreciated them, they sup-

ported me every year”. “Bradley Reid, at Reid’s ac-

counting in Trenton, Ken at Randall’s Office Supply

in Trenton and Carey Webb, at State Farm Insur-

ance”. And, by the way she added, “Your MS volun-

teers are the best, and you just have to mention

Gloria Hogue - she been so kind to me - and so en-

couraging”.

Thank you Deborah, from the bottom of our hearts,

we thank you, along with all the other volunteers

who continue to make a difference

Deborah Best is surrounded by a group of Cheerleaders who were out front to greet the walkers as they returned from their

walk.

Deborah Best is proud of her accomplishments as well she should be. To raise an incredible $62,000 over the years is amazing. Debra posed in front of her wall of honour at her

It looks like Deborah is enjoying herself as she has her picture taken with one of the

clowns that was on hand sat the walk.

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Hastings County Chapter is selling Canada’s Wonderland tickets

For $42.00 –all taxes included. $3.00 from the sale of every ticket

goes to the local MS chapter.

Tickets available at: Guest Services desk—Quinte Mall

And Belleville Chamber of Commerce Log Cabin on East Moira Street

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RONA is holding two charity BBQ’s for the local MS Chapter.

Saturday, July 7th, 234 Glen Miller Rd, Trenton

And

Saturday, August 11th 260 Bell Blvd, Belleville

Volunteers are needed for both of these events.

“If you would like an electronic copy of the news letter instead of paper to help

us reduce costs of printing and mailing please send email to info.hastings@mssociety.ca and say “yes send my newsletter by email”.”