The support was overwhelming

     As I was attempting to build a committee to help with sponsorships, I knew all I had to do was start talking and I would have takers... That, or maybe they were volunteering just to get me to quit talking.  Oh well, whatever it takes!

     First, I approached my friend Karen Evans because she has a kind heart and I know she loves to volunteer her time for a good cause.  As I expected, she was totally on board! What makes a good team is a lot of people with different strengths.  Karen was very familiar with creating websites and happens to be a blogger herself, so she offered to help me create this website and Allison Wait, a talented high school student from Sylvania Northview, created the awesome frog artwork you see on the blog's header, now we're on our way!  Thanks Karen and Allison!

Have a great day!

Christine:)

Starting a committee

     
     Reeves Northrup and I decided to join forces to make the 25th anniversary one to blow all others out of the water and I knew we'd make a great team.  With  me being down to earth and Reeves with his head in the clouds we would surely have all ends of the stratosphere covered. (Of course you know I'm talking about height...or am I... Lol)


     When he asked me if I would be willing to start a committee to raise corporate sponsorships I knew I was the right girl for the job.  I certainly have a motivating force and with my strong will I was confident I could convince many of my awesome friends to come on board and help me with this challenge.

     If anyone has a idea to make this year great, or you just want to be a part of this great cause, please let us know!

Our picture page is finally up, take a look. If you have any pictures from MS events that you'd like me to highlight on the pictures page leave a message below in the comments section.

Have a great weekend!

Christine:)

Starting Team Leap Frog

      Though I started volunteering for the Bike-to-the-Bay several years ago, it wasn't until last year that I decided to jump in feet first. My mission would soon be to try to use my MS as a tool to make a difference in this world. 

      It wasn’t long before I became friends with many of the teams and tried to encourage as well as inspire them to give it their all on my behalf, as well as the many, many others in this world with MS.  I absolutely love to write stories about my journey; my letters of gratitude along with a few speaking engagements had appeared to make an impact on the riders; soon they were able to put a face to someone who is truly benefiting from their generosity.

     Last year I was more of a cheerleader than anything else, and I really felt like part of one big wonderful family that happens to be spread out among many teams, all working towards one great cause. This year however, I had this crazy notion to try my hardest to do the ride myself, hopefully encouraging others to believe they could ride as well, especially those without MS. 

     Of course now the dilemma I would be faced with was which team to join: I had friends on several of them.  Then I decided what I really needed to do was start my own team while still continuing to inspire the others.

     After some thought I decided I would name my team “Team Leap Frog”  mainly because not actually knowing what my body is capable of I’m taking a big leap of faith that I can do this, and I truly believe many others with or without MS will realize they  can do this too.  That… and I love frogs. ☺

     Now my next mission is going to be to encourage as many people to join me and help me raise awareness. There is power in numbers.  My journey continues…

Have a great day!

Christine ☺

My reason for riding

    

It all started when I wrote a letter to the riders after the last Bike MS: Reeves Northrup Memorial Bike-to-the-Bay; thanking them for riding in this event on my behalf, because I could never ride it myself.  

     When a friend asked “Why don’t you think you can ride?”  I chuckled and thought "What a silly question!"  But then I thought about the question again… Without trying I couldn’t accurately make that statement.  I didn’t know for certain that I could, but I also didn’t know for certain that I couldn’t.  “Can't” is a word not often found in my vocabulary.  I have to try first before I can accurately make that statement.  Some things, however, are no-brainers, like, I know I can’t fly… unless of course I trip, which I’ve tried already and wouldn’t recommend, the landing isn’t pretty!

     The only way to find out if I could do this was to try.  There happens to be a 35 mile route and that seemed like a good place to start.  Yes, I have one leg that doesn’t always like to cooperate, but I also have another leg with enough attitude for both of them.  Besides, I’ve driven 35 miles a million times before; it didn’t seem that far looking out a car window…

     When I started telling everyone about my “brilliant” idea, I got a lot of mixed reactions; some said, “Good for you, I think you should try it”.  Others said, “Are you crazy?!?”  So it was confirmed; yes I should try it and yes I was crazy.  If I could pull in a few more crazy people with me than it will all be worthwhile.  My journey would soon begin…

Have a great day!

Christine☺