This Sunday's Portage la Prairie's annual MS Walk, and it takes starts at Stride Place. Many have registered to walk, but they're in great need of volunteers.

"We do have quite a few registrations, and we're quite confident it's going to be a great turnout," says Amanda Novak, MS Society of Canada Westman Chapter development manager. "We have lots planned. There is a local band playing and a wiener roast happening at Stride Place. 11:00 a.m. is registration and between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. when the walk kicks off you can eat and listen to the great music. We're in great shape other than being short on volunteers for the event," she continues. "I'm hoping that our listeners in the Portage area will call if they're willing to give of themselves for an hour or two on May 7th."

Novak says positions that need to be filled include, "Bankers -- people who have a financially oriented background for handling money for registration. We need about four. We're also looking for route marshals who will be stationed at key points of the route to ensure safety for our walkers. They need to be in position at 12:45 to be ready for the time of the walk at 1:00 p.m. We also require some set-up people for the signage and direction arrows, so they can be there between 9:30 a.m. and 10:00, until about 11:00. Take-down of the signage will take place between 1:30 until 2:00 p.m. The more hands to help the less time it will take."

She adds, "Also, if someone enjoys a fun time we need someone to wear the A&W root bear mascot costume at the walk, seeing as A&W has been a major sponsor of the event for several years."

Novak explains there's so many wonderful people battling the disease, and notes most of us are unaware of how many people have MS. They're everywhere. She says Canada has the largest population per capita of those diagnosed with the disease. Novak explains so many friends or family members have been touched by the disease, and they're hoping to find the cure. The more money they raise and the more help they acquire, the closer we'll all get to that cure.

Summary of volunteers needed:

  • Venue and route set up (including signage)… anyone in PLP who might be available to come help with set up (obviously this tends to be a more physical job) pass along your name and contact information. They'll need these volunteers from about 9:30 a.m. or 10:00 until about 11:00 a.m.
  • Bankers. Preference is for people with a financial-ish background for this job who are accustomed to handling money. The bankers will be needed from about 11:00 a.m. to just after 1:00 p.m.
  • Kids Zone… volunteers with face painting skills. Kids zone is open 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., volunteers should be on site by 10:45.
  • Route Marshals… a few people to be stationed around key points of the route to ensure the safety of our Walkers. Would probably need to be on site by about 12:45 in order to be positioned in time for the 1:00 p.m. Walk-start…
  • Someone to wear the Root Bear costume…A&W has offered us the mascot costume for someone to wear. Be in costume and wandering around the venue for a portion of time between 11:00 and 1:00 p.m.
  • Take-down… Many hands make light work with this job, needing help with getting the route and venue taken down and packed away…. Start take-down around 1:30 or 2:00 p.m.

Registration starts at 11:00 a.m. at the Stride Credit Union Centre….the BBQ and band starts at 11:30, and the Walk kicks off at 1:00 p.m.

You can contact Novak for more details and to volunteer by calling (204) 571-5670 or toll-free at 1-800-268-7582.