Sun shines on MS fundraiser

April 18, 2009|By MATTHEW UMSTEAD

SHARPSBURG -- Even amid troubled economic times, support of efforts to find a cure for multiple sclerosis appeared stronger than ever Saturday at Antietam National Battlefield.

More than 1,000 people, including children, took part in the annual Walk MS, said Jessica Potter, the Western Maryland community development coordinator for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Potter said the Maryland chapter of the society reached its statewide goal of $1.3 million this year. The walks raise money for research, programs and services provided by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

"This year, the weather has really helped us out," Potter said of the turnout, which helped bump the amount raised for the MS Walk to about $84,000, organizers reported afterward. Organizers said they hope to eventually collect $100,000 in donations this year.

The turnout Saturday was comforting to Virginia Scrivener of Funkstown, who has two siblings who have been diagnosed with the chronic, often disabling disease, which attacks the central nervous system.

"I think it's wonderful, with the economic downturn, how many people are still coming out and supporting charities in general," said Scrivener, while working at a drink station for participants after they finished a three- or five-mile trek at the battlefield.

A longtime participant of the event that her brother, Bill, helped start in the early 1990s, Scrivener recalled one year when the event was "officially" canceled because of inclement weather, but 100 people still turned out and walked anyway.

"You couldn't stay dry under an umbrella," Scrivener said, smiling.

Conditions on Saturday were almost perfect.

Anne Wheeler and fellow members of "Team Owens," who seemed as sunny as the weather, captured the Team Spirit Award for the event.

"We are the Owens, the mighty, mighty Owens ..." Wheeler sang when asked to share a bit of the group's song.

The team, comprised of friends and family members of Boonsboro resident Jack Owens, wore Baltimore Orioles hats and Brian Roberts jerseys that were donated by Orioles Outreach, said Wheeler, who traveled from Baltimore with her husband for the walk.

"The sun was smiling on 'Team Owens' today," Wheeler said.

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