Maryland Chapter

Walk MS 2009Sponsorship Opportunities

National MS Society, Maryland Chapter11403 Cronhill Drive, Suite E

Owings Mills, MD 21117 tel: 443.641.1200fax: 443.641.1201

www.walkMSmaryland.org

April 4 April 18 April 19

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

About MSMultiple Sclerosis interrupts the flow of information from the brain to the body and stops people from moving. Every hour of every day, someone is newly diagnosed with MS. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are moving us closer to a world free of MS. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with more than twice as many women as men contracting the disease. MS affects more than 400,000 people in the U.S. and 2.5 million worldwide.

National MS SocietyThe National MS Society is a collective of passionate individuals who want to so something about MS NOW. Together we are the MS movement. The National MS Society funds more MS research, offers more services for people with MS, and provides more professional education programs than any other MS organization in the world.

Research

• More MS research than any other organization in the world. • More than 380 research projects a year and provide $45 million in funding, including more than $8 million in support directly to researchers in Maryland. • Two of the most prominent centers for MS research in the country through clinical affiliations with Johns Hopkins University and University of Maryland.

Advocacy & ActivismWe Champion:

• For the funding of MS research, access to affordable health insurance and long-term care programs. • At the local, state & national levels. For the rights and needs of people living with MS. • Against the discrimination of people with MS.

Programs & ServicesWe Provide:

• Information and referral services in response to more than 4,000 inquiries each year from individuals in Maryland looking for answers to questions about MS and community resources. • Resources specifically for those preparing to share their diagnosis with their children, family members or employers. • Nearly $900,000 in Financial Assistance annually to help lessen the financial burden that living with MS can create. Examples of available assistance include: transportation, medical equipment, respite, health club memberships, chore services and rental assistance. • Opportunities to connect with others living with MS through our network of more than 30 self-help groups and numerous educational workshops each year.

Research & National Programs

General Management

Fundraising

Programs & Services52%

26%

3%

19%

We Support:

We are a driving force of MS research, relentlessly pursuing prevention, treatment and a cure. We address the challenges of each person whose life is affected by MS. We are activists. We mobilize the talents and resources of millions of people who want to do something about MS. We will raise a total of $1.25 billion by the end of 2010. We are a movement by and for people with MS, moving together toward a world free of multiple sclerosis.

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

Walk MS: Maryland Walk 2009

Walk MS is the National MS Society, Maryland Chapter’s signature event. Now entering its 20th year, and raising over $1,200,000 last year alone, the event attracts more than 8,000 participants and volunteers statewide. In 2009, Walk MS will be held in nine communities across the state. Each walk is 5 kilometers (3.2 miles) and features unique Maryland scenery. Antietam Battlefield, historic downtown Annapolis, and Ocean City’s world famous boardwalk are just some of the attractions our walkers enjoy while raising money for MS research, services and educational programs.

We invite your organization to join the fun!There are several ways to get involved.

• Become an event sponsor• Form a team of walkers• Encourage your co-workers to volunteer.

Walk MS: Maryland Walk 2009 Dates

All walks are 5K (approx. 3 miles) and begin at 10 a.m. For more details regarding the Start/Finish location in each community, visit www.walkMSmaryland.org

Saturday April 4th • Cumberland • Frederick

Saturday April 18th

• Columbia • Hagerstown • Ocean City • Westminster

Sunday April 19th

• Annapolis • Cambridge • Towson

For more information please call Shawn Slotke at443-641-1227 or email shawn.slotke@nmss.org

• 37% of walkers who participate in the walk MS events are 50 or older.

• 70% of walkers are female.

• 65% of walkers are married.

• 71% of walkers earn an annual income of $50,000 or more.

• 56% of walkers have a college degree.

• 34% of walkers have a family member living with MS.

Walk MS: Demographics

Through partnership with the National MS Society, Maryland Chapter, your company can:

• Increase visibility and enhance customer loyalty

• Market directly to target audiences

• Demonstrate community involvement

• Associate with the excellent reputation of the Society

• Enhance employee team-building

Walk MS: Maryland Walk 2009 Statewide Sponsorship Levels

Benefits of Statewide Sponsorship

Inclusion in all paid radio and TV advertising campaigns

Logo placement on Start/Finish banner at each site

Logo placement in direct mail campaign to previous walkers (minimum 20,000 pieces)

Logo placement on 50,000 Walk brochures distributed statewide

Logo placement on 8,000 Walker Bibs

Opportunity to display company banner at each site

Recognition during Opening Ceremonies at each site

Logo placement on Chapter’s Walk website

Opportunity to provide samples or display of products at all 9 Walk Sites

Recognition in all event media releases

Logo placement on 8,000 Participant T-shirts

Exclusivity within your market

Logo placement on 8,000 route maps

Opportunity to place an article in Chapter Newsletter

Logo placement on 800 volunteer T-shirts

Logo inclusion on 1,000 posters distributed statewide

Logo placement on Wall of Hope banner at each site

Presenting Platinum Gold Silver

$ 20,000 $ 5,000$ 10,000$ 15,000

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(Recognition at all 9 sites)

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

To reserve your Statewide Sponsorship please contact Shawn Slotke at 443-641-1227 or email shawn.slotke@nmss.org

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

Walk MS: Maryland Walk 2009Local Sponsorship Opportunities

Reach hundreds of members from your local community through the Walk MS event near you!

Central Maryland Sponsorship Levels

Is your company particularly active in one of these local communities in Central Maryland? Each of these sites attracts 800-1,500 community members, and you can focus your sponsorship to reach your target audience by becoming a local sponsor. Pricing for sponsorship levels listed below is per site.

Annapolis, Columbia, Frederick, Towson, or WestminsterCentral Maryland

For more information about Central Maryland Sponsorships, please call Shawn Slotke at 443-641-1227 or email shawn.slotke@nmss.org

Name:

Company’s Name:

Address:

City/State/Zip:

Phone:

E-mail:

I would like to be a: (please check below)

Site Sponsor

Volunteer Sponsor

Welcome Sponsor

$ 2,500

$ 1,500

$ 750

For the following site(s): (please check below)

I want to be a part of Walk MS 2009

Mile Marker $ 500

To sponsor Central Maryland Walk MS locations please fill out the form below and fax it to 443-641-1201 attn: Sponsorship or mail with your check to 11403 Cronhill Drive, Suite E, Owings Mills, MD 21117.

Central Maryland:Annapolis Columbia

Frederick Towson

Westminster

Local Sponsorship

Site Sponsor Includes: Logo on Start/Finish banner, volunteer t-shirts, rest stop signage, mile marker and route maps as well as a welcome table for your display materials at one Central Maryland site of your choice.

Volunteer Sponsor Includes: Logo on volunteer t-shirts, mile marker and route maps as well as a welcome table for your display materials at one Central Maryland site of your choice.

Welcome Sponsor Includes: Welcome table and a mile marker along route at one Central Maryland site of your choice.

$ 1,500

$ 2,500

$ 750

Mile Marker $ 500Includes: Recognition as a sponsor of Walk MS along route at one Central Maryland site of your choice.

MS STOPS PEOPLE FROM MOVING.

WE EXIST TO MAKE SURE IT DOESN’T.

Multiple Sclerosis interrupts the flow of information between brain and body and stops people from moving. With the help of people like you, the National MS Society addresses the challenges of each person whose life is affected by MS and helps them stay connected to the great big moving world.

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

Kim, diagnosed in 2000