Nor'easter

As I have mentioned before, the MS Society is a worthy charitable organization, helping people that need it. Most of the money donated ends up with the people that need it most. If you can not donate, tell others about this website and visit the MS Society web page to learn more about this disease.

So, if that is not reason enough to donate, how about this: my next walk will be across Ann Street Bridge and into Northeast Grand Rapids. What is significant about that? I have walked every street North and West of the Grand River.

Some highlights were:

• Stumbling on to OctoberFest after completing a long walk and having a beer and a brat with a friend.
• Seeing a chihuahua defend its house from the crown of the roof.
• Walking with friends and 
• talking about ice cream trucks and software quality
• reunioning
• brothers
• Hearing all the reasons for donating
• The hilarious donation messages I received (I still owe someone a "strut")

Even though there were some "interesting" times as well, like getting chased or scared by dogs and seeing someone get hit by a car (they were all right), I can safely say every walk has been a pleasure, without exception.

Now to the Northeast side of Grand Rapids. Only 400+ miles to go!

Still Walking

The most common question I have had this year is "Are you still walking Grand Rapids?", both solicited and unsolicited.

The answer is yes.

Yes, I have neglected to blog as often as I should.
Yes, I am behind in my pace, but still well within reach of my 100 mile goal for 2010.
Yes, I should finish this year's walk before snow flies.
Yes, in 2011 I will have only 400 more miles to go.
Yes, I really have finished the vast majority of the Northwest side of Grand Rapids.
Yes, I will post some maps soon.
No, there is still not a cure for MS.

Please consider a donation. I realize times are tight, so if you can not donate pass on this site to someone else. If everyone on my list, or their friends, donated $5 today, I would meet my goal and there would be one last email for the year. If not, please check out the information sites to the left and learn about MS and how it affects more people in Michigan than any other state.

I spent a lot of time researching the MS Society and they are a responsible organization. A large percentage of the money donated gets to the people with MS that need it. Check them out at the charity watch sites on the web.

The Donation Site listed on the menu on the right is secure and will credit my fund-raising efforts.

Check out the two earlier posts for this year's Long Walk and thanks for reading!

Donation Site available again

The Donation site is available again in a link on the right. This is a secure site that contributes directly to the MS Society. This is the easiest and safest way for you and me to collect money for the drive. You can donate safely and securely online and have your money start working right away for the MS Society and I won't have to handle the money. (Those who know me best know how forgetful I can be!) I will receive a message for every donation, so I can thank you for your support. The site will tally the total so you can follow along with the drive.

Checks and cash are difficult to handle (I have to write a separate check for cash to send it in) and I have discovered in the past that it takes quite some time for the MS Society to process checks. So please (I'm begging now...) take advantage of the donation site.

For those who do not know me, the site is also available directly from the MS Society's web page (Search for Team AOSE, who has generously let me join, even though I do not ride.) and look for my goofy picture in the team sites. Or donate directly to the MS Society and skip my site. The whole point is to raise money for them!

Thanks again for your support!

I would walk 500 Miles...

After procrastinating last fall to finish walking the first 100 miles of Grand Rapids streets, you would think I would learn a lesson and begin early this year to take advantage of the cooler weather.

Nope.

I started walking again last night. I am about 5-10 miles behind my pace right now, with hopes to catch up this month. The donation site is not yet available, due to technical difficulties. It will be up soon. I have decided to rename this odyssey "The Long Walk in Grand Rapids for the MS Society". Let me know what you think. This year's theme is "I would walk 500 miles" since I have about 500 miles of GR streets left.

Some lessons learned:

I can't take seven months off and expect to walk as far as I was seven months ago.
Grand Rapids is safe and beautiful.
There are no more streets to walk near my house.
It's hard to track miles in new developments, since they are not yet on the map.
A long-time friend shares favorite flowers.

Some thoughts for this year:

Blog more (really, I mean it).
Raise more money for the MS Society.
Publicity (I know I can, and will, walk every street possible in Grand Rapids. It is time to let people know.)

You are the first step. Please tell your friends about the site and post links to this blog and comment on the contents.

Watch for fun stuff coming to this blog.

Thanks for your continued support!