As I wrote last week, I do almost all my fundraising via postal solicitation. A few people donate online, but more than half of my donations arrive as checks. When my self-addressed stamped envelopes come back to me, I eagerly rip them open and look not for the amount of the check, but to see what else they included. For me, the arrival of the SASE is a giveaway that they've donated at all. The amount is irrelevant; it's knowing that I have their support that matters. But what really lifts my spirit are the personal words of encouragement many donors choose to include with their checks. Sometimes it's on the back of my fundraising letter mailed back to me; sometimes it's on a sticky note; other times, they include their own cards. Whatever the medium, and whether they come from close friends or from those with whom my only communication is this fund drive, these notes let me know that what my teammate Kahm and I are doing is important.

Here are the reasons I'm walking so far this year:

Keep up the good work! Hope the MSchief Makers do well. Good luck to U & Kahm! Give your mom our best! Glad 2-B of some help…


Good luck with the walk!


Good luck in the MS Challenge Walk! I hope your team reaches its goal! Cheers!


Nice to see you'll be joined by Kahm, Ken! 


Thanks so much for doing this every year, Ken — you rock! Best wishes for a great walk and for an end to MS!


Good luck, Ken & Kahm! We wish you the best with your walk!


Good luck Kenny!


Keep walking for my cousin! He continues to battle & win his fight but would of course love a cure for all!


Good luck and have fun! 


Thank you for all you do and for letting me again be part of your walk. Happy walking!


Good luck Ken! 


Good luck with your fund drive. "Hi" to your parents. Hope they & you are doing well.


Good luck!


We are ever proud of all the wonderful things you do! Keep it up! Good luck with the walk and with fighting MS.

Seeing all this support in one place… I'm a bit choked up to know that what we do does make a difference.

Ken, a Worcester resident, joined the MS Challenge Walk in 2005, more than a decade after his mother was diagnosed. After walking for three years and 150 miles, he switched to the support crew and now rides his bicycle along the trail, providing whatever encouragement (and snacks!) he can to the 600 walkers. He is also on the event's steering committee and is this site's webmaster.