Volunteer Voice

Volunteer at Bike MS: City to Shore Ride on September 29 & 30!

Contact us
 
To sign up as a volunteer, contact Joy McManus, volunteer manager, or Kristin Marnie, volunteer engagement specialist, at 215-271-1500 or via email at joy.mcmanus@nmss.org or kristin.marnie@nmss.org.
Ongoing need for volunteers to represent chapter at area events
 
Are you a "people person"? Would you like to represent the Society at various networking events, breakfasts or luncheons in the region? We are invited to various events, but with limited staff we can't make it everywhere.
 
The next event we need a volunteer for is an open house at Philadelphia Higher Education Network for Neighborhood Development (PHENND) on Friday, July 27 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at 3624 Market Street in Philadelphia. We provide business cards and a name tag. Help us spread the word about the chapter and our need for volunteers!
 
If you would like to be added to a list to be contacted for this volunteer position, call or email Joy today.
August 29: Volunteer at Bike MS Rider Expo
 
We need 10 volunteers to help at the Bike MS Rider Expo on Wednesday, August 29 at Penns Landing Caterers, located at 1301 Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19147, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Parking is free.
 
Volunteer jobs include staffing the volunteer table, floating around the expo to network and talk to people about volunteerism and to man the MS Lab Experience table.
 
For more information and to sign up, contact Joy at 215-271-1500 or joy.mcmanus@nmss.org.
Immune B cells may produce substances that are toxic to brain
 
Researchers have found evidence that immune cells known as B cells from people with MS may produce toxic factors that harm brain cells, in particular, cells that make myelin, the key substance needed for nerve transmission. If this factor (or factors) can be identified and confirmed to play a role in MS disease progression, it may serve as an important target for developing new MS therapies. Click here to read more.
5,000 rider numbers stuffed in only two days
 
Merck volunteersOn July 10 and 11, nearly 40 volunteers piled into our Center City office and helped stuff bike rider numbers (check out photos here). The amazing group included volunteers from prior events, new volunteers, long-time Bike MS cyclists, children and teenagers!
 
We stuffed numbers, talked, joked and shared. And by the end of the evening on July 11, we made it up to number 8,500. Thank you to all who were able to come out and help.
 
If you were unable to make it, we still have 1,500 left to stuff, as well as a host of other projects to prepare for the ride. We can use volunteers any day of the week, and we have two special volunteer days coming up (details below), so please contact us!
Thanks for your help at the Please Touch Museum
 
volunteers at the Please Touch MuseumA big thank you goes out to everyone who came out to the Please Touch Museum on Saturday, July 14 to help out with MS Family Fun Day. Museum attendees were able to learn all about MS and "experiment with symptoms" at the MS Lab Experience's interactive table. Check out our photos here.
 
The MS Lab Experience is available at all chapter events, and volunteers are always needed. It's a great way to interact with and educate the community about multiple sclerosis. If you're interested in being an MS Lab volunteer, contact Joy at 215-271-1500 or joy.mcmanus@nmss.org.
July 25 and August 1: Your help is needed at our office
 
Join us on Wednesday, July 25 and/or Wednesday, August 1 as we continue to get things ready for Bike MS: City to Shore Ride!
 
We will be putting together special ribbons and mission cards for each cyclist as well as labeling. Volunteers are needed anytime during the day. We will be staying late on these two dates, so after work is fine as well.
 
Our office is located at 30 S. 17th Street, Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Contact Kristin at 215-271-1500 or kristin.marnie@nmss.org to get signed up. All ages are welcome!
August 18: Volunteers needed at the Crayola Experience
 
Six volunteers are needed to assist with MS Family Fun Day at the Crayola Experience on Saturday, August 18. The Crayola Factory is located at 30 Centre Square, Easton, PA 18402. Volunteers are needed from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
 
Volunteers will be provided with complimentary tickets to use after their shift. Street parking is metered, or you can take advantage of garage parking at $2 per hour (the factory does not validate parking). Contact Joy at 215-271-1500 or joy.mcmanus@nmss.org to register.