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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—[email protected]
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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.h[email protected] and say “yes send my newsletter by email”.”
