Volunteers needed for the Bike MS: Bike to the Bay
Delaware’s premier cycling event, Bike MS: Bike to the Bay 2011 presented by NRG Energy Indian River power plant, is fast approaching, and the Delaware Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society needs volunteers.
Bike to the Bay attracts more than 1,800 cyclists of all levels to ride a 17-, 45-, 75-, 100-, 150-, or 175-mile route from Dover to Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes, all to raise money for research and awareness of the devastating effects of multiple sclerosis.
The Delaware Chapter needs more than 200 people to help hand out rider numbers and T-shirts; to load and unload the equipment truck; hand out prizes to the cyclists; prepare and serve breakfast, lunch and dinner; distribute information packets; direct traffic; and provide logistical and clerical support every step of the way.
“Volunteers are the backbone of all our events, and we need about 200 for Bike to the Bay,” notes Kate Cowperthwait, chapter president. “We need help with everything from registering cyclists to setting up rest stops, to monitoring the route, to even cheering the cyclists across the finish line. Our volunteers not only have a great time at the event, but also ensure that the event is successful in raising funds for over 1,550 Delawareans living with MS.”
To ensure a safe and enjoyable event, the entire course also needs to be monitored by support-and-gear vehicles and bike mechanics, and rest stops are set up every 10 to 12 miles stocked with beverages, fruit, and high-energy bars.
To volunteer for Bike to the Bay, contact volunteer coordinator Ainsley Hertrich at 302-655-5610, Ext. 129, or email ainsley.hertrich@nmss.org.
About multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis, an unpredictable, often-disabling disease of the central nervous system, interrupts the flow of information within the brain and between the brain and the body. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. The progress, severity, and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are moving society closer to a world free of MS.
MS stops people from moving. The National MS Society exists to make sure it doesn’t. The society addresses the challenges of each person affected by MS by funding cutting-edge research, driving change through advocacy, facilitating professional education, collaborating with MS organizations around the world, and providing programs and services designed to help people with MS and their families move their lives forward. Join the movement at www.nationalMSsociety.org.
Early and ongoing treatment with an FDA-approved therapy can make a difference for people with multiple sclerosis. Learn about the options by talking to a healthcare professional and then contacting the National MS Society at www.nationalMSsociety.org or at 1-800-FIGHT MS (1-800-344-4867).
