The clouds parted and the sun was shining last Sunday morning as more than 100 came out for the Enerflex MS walk.
“The clouds broke and it was a beautiful day,” said MS Walk coordinator Dianne Snyder. “Someone was watching over us.”
While registrations leading up to the walk was down a bit, there were many in the valley who registered the morning of the event to take part in the walk. Spirits were high as they hit the course.
These walkers donned special shirts reading “ I lace up for” with a space for walkers to write in the name of a loved one who is or has battled MS. This was a tasteful way of making the walk personal for each participant.
The oldest walker on the course this year was Evelyn Pratt and the youngest was Ryan Burfield.
Not only was the walk well supported by participants, but by local businesses and organizations who continued their sponsorship of the walk. Glen Croteau of Gas Drive, a subsidiary of Enerflex was on hand. He explained the company has been involved with the walk since 1997, and for the last three years they have had a team in every walk in Alberta. This was the fourth year they have been the naming provincial sponsor, and since the first Enerflex team entered the walk 15 years ago, employees have raised more than $1 million and 1,500 have participated.
This year the company donated $137,500 provincially to the walk.
“On behalf of the company I would like to extend a sincere thanks to the dedicated and hard working people of the MS Society, it is because of you and your enthusiasm, commitment for this event has grown in popularity like it has,” said Croteau.
There was also a strong contingent of volunteers on walk day doing everything from registering walkers to manning checkpoints.
Snyder is grateful for the support for the MS walk. The preliminary funds have been sent to the MS Society, and she is expecting a total shortly. Funds from the walk go towards research and support programs for those with MS and their families.
