Participants, support sought for MDA walk in April

NORTH HAVEN - More than 100 people are registered to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association during the 2014 Mohegan Sun Southern New England MDA Muscle Walk to help pay tribute to - and raise funds for - children and adults served by MDA in Connecticut.
    

"We want to encourage people in the State of Connecticut to give back to local families affected by neuromuscular disease," said MDA Area Director Chasity Bothman.
"By supporting the MDA Muscle Walk event on April, 12, 2014, people can make an immediate difference and help raise awareness and funds for research and vital services benefiting families served by the Association. This event provides those affected a chance to rally and fight back against neuromuscular disease."

The annual Mohegan Sun Southern New England MDA Muscle Walk is scheduled for noon April 12, 2014 at Mohegan Sun. 

For registration information, visit http://www.musclewalkmda.org/2014musclewalk, or call the local MDA office, 203-248-6500.

Expected at the walk are representatives from local sponsors including Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital, Town Fair Tire, Hospital For Special Care, Charter Oak Credit Union, First Niagara, West River Health Care Center, and local singer Ashley Mirando.  
Last year, MDA Muscle Walks nationwide raised more than $6.2 million, and more than $10 million has been raised since the program started in 2011.   


About MDA Muscle Walk®
MDA Muscle Walk is a series of fun, non-competitive local walks held across the country, and it’s the largest event of its kind in the United States. There are more than 160 Walks throughout the nation, with events scheduled from January to April.

About MDA

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. 
The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education.
In addition to funding some 300 research projects worldwide, MDA maintains a national network of 200 medical clinics; facilitates hundreds of support groups for families affected by neuromuscular diseases; and provides local summer camp opportunities for thousands of youngsters living with progressive muscle diseases.
 

For more information, visit mda.org and follow MDA on Facebook, facebook.com/mdaconnecticut) and Twitter (@CTMDA).


This is a press release from the MDA office in Connecticut. 

MDA 'lockup' event planned at Ansonia restaurant

ANSONIA - Local business leaders will head to “jail” from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Jan. 30 at The Original Antonio’s Restaurant, 314 Main St., to raise “bail” for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Community business leaders will be arrested at their place of business and transported to Antonio’s to serve their time.
At Antonio’s the “jailbirds” will be served complimentary “jail” food while they each attempt to raise at least $2,400 in bail money.

This year the local MDA has set a goal to raise over $25,000 at the event, which will allow the MDA to continue to offer vital services to the families served in Connecticut.
Funds will also be used to continue ground-breaking research in the quest to find a cure.

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education.
The majority of contributions to MDA come from individual donors.
For more information on this event contact Susan Christiano, Fundraising Coordinator, MDA CT Chapter Office, at schristiano@mdausa.org or 203-248-6500.


This is a press release from MDA. 

MDA seeks 15 camp counselors for August session

The search continues for an additional 20 men to fill the Muscular Dystrophy Association camp counselor roster.

Associates at MDA are busy planning a week of summer fun and male volunteers are needed to assist children with muscle diseases and help them enjoy a fun-filled, carefree week at MDA summer camp.

The camp takes place from Aug. 4-10 at Easter Seals Camp Hemlocks in Hebron.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old, US Citizens and able to put the needs of someone else before their own need. As a volunteer counselor, an individual has the opportunity to assist campers with fun recreational activities such as adapted sports, fishing at the fishing dock, swimming and arts and crafts. Counselors become close companions to campers and assist them with daily tasks such at eating, bathing and dressing.

“MDA summer camp is a special week of the year where children affected by muscle diseases can enjoy themselves by participating in full range outdoor activities adapted to their abilities. Besides being great fun, camp helps youngsters find their independence and builds their confidence by helping them grow and develop emotionally and socially— it’s truly the highlight of the year, for both campers and their volunteer counselors.  Every camper is matched with their own volunteer counselor for the week. Several men from the area have signed up but we are still in need  of 15 more to complete our camp roster,”  said Jennifer Dain, MDA Camp Director.

MDA is dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and far-reaching professional and public health education.

Volunteering as a counselor at MDA summer camp is a rewarding and life-changing experience. The friendships formed and the memories created will last forever. To obtain a volunteer application or learn about other ways to support MDA’s summer camp program, call your local MDA office at 203-248-6500. Additional information about volunteering at MDA summer camp is available online at www.mda.org/clinics/camp.

For information, contact Jennifer Dain, 203-248-6500 or jdain@mdausa.org.

Leaders headed to jail. for a cause, of course!

ANSONIA – Local community leaders will be heading to “jail” from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Feb. 16  at the Original Antonio’s in order to raise their “bail” for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
The leaders including the mayor of Ansonia, Derby judicial marshal, Seymour first selectman, Seymour fire marshal, Ansonia city engineer, Ansonia chief of police and Woodbridge town assessor, will be “arrested” at their place of business and transported to Antonio’s, located at 314 Main St., to serve their time at the local MDA Lock-Up.
At Antonio’s, the “jailbirds” will be served complimentary “jail” food while they each attempt to raise at least $2,400 in bail.
Last time this event was held in Ansonia, local “jailbirds” raised more than $13,000 in bail money, all of which went toward the fight against neuromuscular disease. This year, the local MDA has set a goal to raise more than $20,000.
MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. It also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education. The majority of contributions to MDA come from individual donors.
For more information, contact Chasity Bothman, executive director, New Haven District Office, at cbothman@mdausa.org or at 203-248-6500.

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed.