WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, MAY 24,1989, PAGE 29 Carnation campaign BOB RUTHERFORD, Whitby chairman Darnell, a Toronto resident volunteer- for the annual 'Carnation Campaign' ing her services, looks on, in front of held recently, receives a carnation the A&P store, Thickson Rd. from volunteer Pat Jones as Florence Froc Press photo MS volunteers "desperately needed By Tamara K. Downes Multiple sclerosis is a common disease of the central nervous system that strikes more young Canadian adults than any other neurological disease. - There are a "little under 300" people that have a membership with the Durham Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society said Audrey McLain, president of the chapter. Of course, not all of those 300 eople are victims of this disease. ome are family, friends or I an ee I.a simply supporters. Multiple Sclerosis often strikes people in the prime family build- ing and career growing years. Usually between the age of 20 and 40. The disease blocks nerve impulses that control vital func- tions such as speech, sight and coordination. One of the main goals of the MS society is to find the cause, effective treatment and cure for MS. The MS Society of Canada annually provides more than $2- million in funding for medical 104O NCE BOUGHTA 1 research. Several activities throughout the year help raise funding in Multiple Sclerosis Society, Durham Regional Chapter Fundraising: carnation sales, donations, canvassing. Members: under 300. Purpose: research, patient service. Fundraising Goal: campaign raised $2,000 more than the $40,000 expected. Contact Person: Anne Syme at 576-8482 Durham Region, according to Anne Syme, publicity and public relations coordinator. These include canvassing and carnation sales in May, dinner dances, donations from area clubs and from the public. The MS carnation campaign conclu- ded May 13. "It's all strictly volunteer," says Syme. In Durham, one paid staff person works nine hours a week. Volunteers drive patients to and trom clinics and centres. "We are desperately short- handed and need help," says Syme. Volunteers also provide social and educational support. A group of volunteers on the program committee have organized about four social programs and two educational programs for this year. A social barbecue was schedu- led for members and their fam- ilies. Volunteers arrange, for those who can't get out on their own, transportation to attend social events. Group events provide those with MS, and their families, the opportunity to relax and enjoy themselves. Patients are able to mingle and move around freely, and to make friends with thosp with the same conditions as their own. At education seminars, guest speakers discuss the latest pro- cedures and treatments. Speak- ers are also volunteers. The MS Society of Durham is not funded by the United Way but often receives donations from Durham clubs such as Kinettes Lions, Oshawa Firefighters and Oshawa Optimist Club. "We operate on a shoestring budget," says Audrey McLain, a volunteer organizer. A summer fundraiser is plan- ned for Camp Samac this July. The Durham chapter will hold their annual MS Swim that last year featured Olympian gold medallist Anne ttenbrite of Whitby and swim marathoner Jocelyn Muir. 'Doggone Trick-a-Thon' will be held on Saturday Saturday, May 27 will mark the first ever "Doggone Trick-a-Thon." Canadians in citias and towns throughout Ontario will be showing off thair canines' general and unusual talents (tricks), while at the same tine raising funds for Hearing Ear Dogs of Canada training centre for special dogs for the deaf and hearing impaired citizens of Canada. The Town of Ajax will host the event, sponsored by the Lions Foundation of Canada, to begin at 9:30 a.m. at Rotary Park, Lakedrive West, Aiax. Participants obcain sponsors on the number of tricks that their dogs will perform. The pledges will be recorded on pledge sheets and particpants (after registering half an hour before the even) will be directed to judges who will note their numbers and judge them accordingly. Certificates and ribbons will be awarded to all particpants and their dogs. Pledge forms wdll be available through schools or may be obtained from: WHITBY : Whitby Public Library, Dundas St. W.; Whitby Iroquois Park Complex; Whitby Animal Hospital, 421 Dundas St. E.; and Pet Decor and Things, Brock Rd. S. AJAX : Ajax Public Library, Harwood Ave. S., Ajax Recreation Centre, Ajax Animal Hospital, Finley Ave.,hPickering Village Pharmacy, Church St., RufnRedi Pet Supplies, Dreyer Dr. W. The collective financial goal of $60,000 will help provide many deaf and hearing impaired Canadians with a hearing ear dog. Over the next few years, Hearing Ear Dogs of Canada has an objective of placing 40 of these specially trained dogs annually. The Town of Ajax's DTAT will have a number of dignitaries and celebrities attending: Norah Stoner, MPP for Durham West; the mayors of Ajax, Whitby, Pickering, Oshawa and their councillors; and Pat Clark, regional councillor ward 1, Ajax. information booths, crafts table, pet supplies and special activities are only a few of the events scheduled to take place at the registration area after all participants have completed their tricks. Hearing Ear Dogs of Canada, with . training facilities at Acaster, Ont., is a eg tere non-profit, charitable organization and an ongoing project of the Lions Foundation of Canada. It is sponsored by private and corporate donations. In March 1988, The Howlers, Ajax branch, was formed as a volunteer group supporting the efforts of Hearing Ear Dogs of Canada. Volunteers are still needed. If you can offer your time and efforts to make this fun event a success, or have any questions, please cal Susan at 430-6104; Sylvie at 427-3283 or Tony at 668-1774 after 6 p.m. Imagine is a national campaign of The Canadian Centre for Philanthropy to increase Canadians' awareness and contribution to all charitable and volunteer organizations. We support their goals and are contributing space for the Imagine ads on this and other pages. To bring the campaign closer to home, the Whitby Free Press is running a series of profiles of the needs and activities of local organizations. Call us if your organization could use a boost. Celebrity Cup June 14 The 1989 Celebrity Cup golf tournament and dinner (formerly the MS Cup), sponsored by Molson Light, will take place on Wednesday, June 14 at Lakeridge Links golf course in Brooklin. It will feature many celebrities from the world of sports, entertainment and news. The tournament is run in cooperation with the Oshawa Jaycees Inc. and is also sponsored by Seagram Coolers and Sipco-Dixon. Proceeds from this year's event will go to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada for research. This year honorary chairman is Dale DeGray of the NHL's Los Angeles Kings. There will be a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. Following the golf, there wil be a dinner/reception in the Lakeridge Links dining room beginning at 7:30 p.m. The registration fee is $100 per person which will include green fees, power cart, prizes and dinner. To attend dinner only, there are a few spaces available at a cost of $40 per person. There are only a couple of spots left for this year's tournament. All singles will be put into groups of three with a celebrity joining them. For more information or registratiori, call Lloyd Fenemore at 434-6131. A FOUR LETER WORD WE SHOUWLDAl USE MORE OITFN GIVE.• 'IlS giviug hegi llsWit you. LOT OF CHOCOLATE BAR. $1 ONCE BOUGHTA LOT OF HELP. The giving hegins with you.