spotlight on Erica Ben-zvi
Erica and irene met the first week of nursery school and have been best friends ever since.Our Families will always be close, as even our parents are still best friends! Erica continues to raise between $500-$1000 a year and we are so lucky to have her as a best friend and a fellow 2stepper!
1. What is the reason you got involved in WalkMS and how long have you been participating?
I’ve been participating in WalkMS since 2001. This is my 24th walk. I got involved because my oldest friend discovered she had MS in 1999, I took her to one of her first doctor’s appointments and I remember how incredibly scary it was to be so young facing this disease for the rest of her life.
2. What is a favorite memory, or your favorite part of WalkMS?
Back in 2001, we walked as single young 20 year olds in the most beautiful warmest sunshine at the World Trade Center. In a whole other world. Then we walked with strollers in Westchester. Now over two decades later, we walk as middle aged parents with our teenage children. We walk in sun, in rain, in fog and in wind! It’s amazing to realize how much time has passed but not our commitment to fighting this disease.
3. What tips do you have for others to help them fundraise?
When I’m connecting with people I like to offer my friend’s personal story, it helps people connect with her. Also, posting on social media to reach the widest audience is crucial. You realize how many people are affected by MS, I get a lot of donations from acquaintances online with family members of other MS warriors.
I’ve been participating in WalkMS since 2001. This is my 24th walk. I got involved because my oldest friend discovered she had MS in 1999, I took her to one of her first doctor’s appointments and I remember how incredibly scary it was to be so young facing this disease for the rest of her life.
2. What is a favorite memory, or your favorite part of WalkMS?
Back in 2001, we walked as single young 20 year olds in the most beautiful warmest sunshine at the World Trade Center. In a whole other world. Then we walked with strollers in Westchester. Now over two decades later, we walk as middle aged parents with our teenage children. We walk in sun, in rain, in fog and in wind! It’s amazing to realize how much time has passed but not our commitment to fighting this disease.
3. What tips do you have for others to help them fundraise?
When I’m connecting with people I like to offer my friend’s personal story, it helps people connect with her. Also, posting on social media to reach the widest audience is crucial. You realize how many people are affected by MS, I get a lot of donations from acquaintances online with family members of other MS warriors.
Spotlight on Joe Piechota
joe and irene met the first week of college, bonding over DMB, and have been great friends ever since. Our Families will always be close. Joe continues to raise between $500-$1000 a year and we are so lucky to have him as a best friend and a fellow 2stepper.
1. What is the reason you got involved in WalkMS and how long have you been participating?
I got involved because my friend Irene was diagnosed with MS 25 years so. I believe I started with my first walk 24 years ago.
2. What is a favorite memory, or your favorite part of WalkMS?
One of my favorite memories is from some of the earliest walks we did. We had a few years participating in the Walk held in lower Manhattan. It was great to see Irene’s close friends and family rally around her and help support the cause. Now the team has grown and we have moved locations through the years but we have stuck together through all the years.
3. What tips do you have for others to help them fundraise?
I like to start my fundraising in the spring. I wouldn’t wait too late though. You need to give people enough time to donate and also give yourself time to follow up on consistent donors who have not donated after reaching out. I am not on social media so I prefer to send emails and text messages to my potential donors. It’s a good idea when asking for donations to mention again why you are walking, who you are walking for and I like to give some historical stats on how long we been together and how much we raised as a team over the years. I feel like that shows the donors how much you and the team are committed to the cause and you will be back again next year asking for another donation.
I got involved because my friend Irene was diagnosed with MS 25 years so. I believe I started with my first walk 24 years ago.
2. What is a favorite memory, or your favorite part of WalkMS?
One of my favorite memories is from some of the earliest walks we did. We had a few years participating in the Walk held in lower Manhattan. It was great to see Irene’s close friends and family rally around her and help support the cause. Now the team has grown and we have moved locations through the years but we have stuck together through all the years.
3. What tips do you have for others to help them fundraise?
I like to start my fundraising in the spring. I wouldn’t wait too late though. You need to give people enough time to donate and also give yourself time to follow up on consistent donors who have not donated after reaching out. I am not on social media so I prefer to send emails and text messages to my potential donors. It’s a good idea when asking for donations to mention again why you are walking, who you are walking for and I like to give some historical stats on how long we been together and how much we raised as a team over the years. I feel like that shows the donors how much you and the team are committed to the cause and you will be back again next year asking for another donation.
