One of the things I like to do is to give back to the community as much as I can. The most simple way of doing this for me is to volunteer my time and energy towards good causes. I have volunteered with many organisations and fundraising events but there is only one organisation where I am pretty much a mainstay.
The Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society of Canada is dedicated to finding a way to end MS. Founded 61 years ago by one woman, the organisation has come a long way. There are now active research projects that are being conducted, new treatments have been found, and lives for the people living with this disease have been a little more comfortable. All of this is due to the research that has taken place over the years.
My role with the MS Society has been that of an active volunteer during fundraising events. I have assisted with the RONA MS Bike Tours, and the RBC Procurement Golf Tournament. Of these two events, the RONA MS Bike Tours is where I am the most involved. I started volunteering as a support and gear vehicle driver back in 2000 when I truthfully wanted to get out of the house that weekend. The answer came to me when I picked up a brochure at the store and realised that the Brampton to Guelph tour was a week and a half away. I quickly called up the office and spoke with a volunteer coordinator who said that she had space for me to work one of the SAG wagons. I was set! After a fabulous weekend where I met new people, and made new friends, I was hooked. I knew I would return the following year.
Fast forward to the present... I am still with the MS Society... After being ribbed and nagged by some of the Tour Leaders who realised that I can ride a bike, I started riding on the tour - namely Brampton to Waterloo. I have ridden for four years, three of which I have been a Tour Leader. I still lend my volunteering expertise to the group - particularly on the years where I end up getting injured during the ride - and also support the Niagara Bike Tour. The experience has been quite enriching but I knew there was more I wanted to do to contribute...
How much further can I go? Tonight, I have attended my first meeting as a new Bike Tour Committee member. With my wealth of experience in this event as a volunteer and as a rider/Tour Leader, I feel that I have a lot to offer where planning the tours are concerned. I look forward to serving this wonderful organisation - who has bettered the lives of some of my friends who are afflicted with MS - and having some fun watching the event that I have been active with unfold from behind the scenes.
The Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society of Canada is dedicated to finding a way to end MS. Founded 61 years ago by one woman, the organisation has come a long way. There are now active research projects that are being conducted, new treatments have been found, and lives for the people living with this disease have been a little more comfortable. All of this is due to the research that has taken place over the years.
My role with the MS Society has been that of an active volunteer during fundraising events. I have assisted with the RONA MS Bike Tours, and the RBC Procurement Golf Tournament. Of these two events, the RONA MS Bike Tours is where I am the most involved. I started volunteering as a support and gear vehicle driver back in 2000 when I truthfully wanted to get out of the house that weekend. The answer came to me when I picked up a brochure at the store and realised that the Brampton to Guelph tour was a week and a half away. I quickly called up the office and spoke with a volunteer coordinator who said that she had space for me to work one of the SAG wagons. I was set! After a fabulous weekend where I met new people, and made new friends, I was hooked. I knew I would return the following year.
Fast forward to the present... I am still with the MS Society... After being ribbed and nagged by some of the Tour Leaders who realised that I can ride a bike, I started riding on the tour - namely Brampton to Waterloo. I have ridden for four years, three of which I have been a Tour Leader. I still lend my volunteering expertise to the group - particularly on the years where I end up getting injured during the ride - and also support the Niagara Bike Tour. The experience has been quite enriching but I knew there was more I wanted to do to contribute...
How much further can I go? Tonight, I have attended my first meeting as a new Bike Tour Committee member. With my wealth of experience in this event as a volunteer and as a rider/Tour Leader, I feel that I have a lot to offer where planning the tours are concerned. I look forward to serving this wonderful organisation - who has bettered the lives of some of my friends who are afflicted with MS - and having some fun watching the event that I have been active with unfold from behind the scenes.
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