Inland Empire Realtors Support Walk MS
San Bernardino, CA - Nicholaus Ondatje, of Redlands, does a lot of good old-fashioned networking in his profession as a realtor with Park Place GMAC Real Estate. So when Nick wanted to raise awareness and funds to end multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease that affects his wife Amber, he figured no one knows more people in the Inland Empire than the broad spectrum of real estate professionals who live and work in the area.
Nick has participated in Walk MS twice before. He walks in honor of his wife, Amber who was diagnosed with MS in 2003 when she was 26 years old. Amber is a third grade teacher and used to be an avid softball player and cheerleader, but now because of symptoms of MS, she finds it difficult to compete in the physical activities she once enjoyed. By participating in Walk MS with her husband, she and Nick are able to take control of this unpredictable and often disabling disease.
This year Nick plans to raise even more money, than in years past, to support direct services for the more than 14,500 Southern and Central Californians with MS and their families, and national MS research to find a cure for this chronic disease of the central nervous system. To do this, he created Team R.A.M.S. - Realtors Against MS. Nick is organizing realtors, title and finance companies, and mortgage professionals to join him at Walk MS, presented by Brutoco Engineering & Construction, on Saturday, April 25 at Quakes Stadium in Rancho Cucamonga.
A vital part of Walk MS is the Team program in which co-workers from local businesses, as well as families and friends, form teams to share a great experience and raise pledges. "Teams are the fastest growing group of fundraisers in the MS movement. We expect to have 1,000 teams and 16,000 individuals registered at our 11 Walk MS sites," said Ragan Reviere, Development Director of Walk MS. Nationwide 200,000 participants raised $61 million at the 2008 Walk MS events.
Nick is encouraging Inland Empire clients, friends, colleagues and neighbors to join Team RAMS. He is also open to friendly competition if any local real estate or mortgage companies want to create their own teams to see which team can raise the most money for Walk MS.
Joining the movement with hundreds of thousands of people across the country is an experience like no other. There are 11 Walk MS Southern California sites to choose from. Walk MS in the Inland Empire, will take place on Saturday, April 25 at Quakes Stadium. Walk MS is a fun event for the whole family, with live entertainment, games for the children, a rock climbing wall and a dunk tank. The site will offer rest stops, support vehicles, and helpful volunteers. All participants will enjoy a picnic lunch, when raffle prizes and the annual Most Spirited Team & Inspirational Walker awards will be announced.
Register today to walk or volunteer for Walk MS 2009. Visit www.walkMSsocal.org or call 1.800.FIGHT.MS or 909.949.1363 to get started. If you would like more information about multiple
sclerosis, Walk MS 2009 or other programs of the National MS Society, please call 1.800.FIGHT.MS.
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