OCTOBER 2010

Mississauga Scene The Mississauga Chapter is dedicated to enriching lives, inspiring hope, facing change together

In this Edition:

What’s New at the Chapter

A Message from the Board

Thank you Ontario Division!

Introducing...

Memories of Summer Fun

Client Services & Upcoming Events

Journey to Wellness

Support Groups

NEW! Monthly Bowling

November Open House

Annual Holiday Luncheon

Tai Chi

Moving Waters for MS

Snow Removal

Transit Solutions

Fundraising Reports

Mike Augustine - MS Climb

10th Annual Charity Golf Classic - Results!

A&W

Save These Dates!

MISSISSAUGA CHAPTER OFFICE 875 ENOLA AVE. MISSISSAUGA, ON L5G 4R1

Email: info.mississauga@mssociety.ca Website: www.mssociety.ca/mississauga 905-278-6186

A Message from the Board of Directors

The Chapter has been very fortunate that Ontario

Division accepted to administer the funding programs

(Special Assistance and Equipment Programs) as well

as the Information and Referral Program on a

temporary basis while we looked for our new,

full-time Client Services Coordinator. We very much

appreciate the care and efficiency of service they

demonstrated to our clients over the past five months.

Now that we have our Client Services Coordinator,

Brandi Easton in place (see the next page for more

information on Brandi), the Information and Referral

Program will once again be administered by the

Chapter.

In upholding the mission of the Mississauga Chapter

to provide the most and best services to all our clients

while at the same time managing costs, the Board has

requested that Ontario Division continue

administering our funding programs. This offers many

benefits to our clients and is an excellent opportunity

for the Chapter to improve and expand our local

programs and services at no additional cost.

Under this new administrative arrangement, the

Chapter will retain all control over the budget and the

overall allocation of funds to clients while adhering to

the policies and best practices of the MS Society.

Some benefits of this transfer of administration for our

Special Assistance Program include taking advantage

of electronic funds transfers for faster deposits to

clients while reducing postage costs. For our

Equipment Program, clients will also benefit from

Ontario Division's access to a much larger shared pool

of donated equipment inventory.

This collaboration with Ontario Division, which also

administers a number of other Chapters' funding

programs, will allow the Mississauga Chapter to

continue developing new and enhanced client-focused

programs year-round. This is an exciting opportunity

for the Chapter and we're putting together a plan that

develops some valuable initiatives for our clients in

the coming months. We look forward to sharing some

details on these as soon as possible! If you have some

suggestions for programs, please call Brandi and let

her know what ideas you have. We welcome all

suggestions!

With the Mississauga Chapter and Ontario Division

working together towards our common goal of serving

those living with MS and their families, we can

achieve much more than we could on our own. At the

heart of this arrangement, all of the Chapter's clients

will benefit and we look forward to providing you

with more programs and services while continuing the

ones we presently have available.

For more information on our Information & Referrals program as well as the services offered

by the Chapter, please contact Brandi Easton at 905-279-6186.

For information on the Special Assistance program, please contact:

Annette Mitchell, Senior Coordinator, Funding Programs

1-800-268-7582 x3147

For information on the Equipment program, please contact:

Helena Olenewa, Coordinator, Equipment Program

1-800-268-7582 x3020

Thank You Ruth, Annette and Carmit!!

We would like to extend a big "thank you!" to the MS Society's Ontario Division for so generously assisting

the Chapter with our client services while we looked for our new coordinator. It is with much gratitude that we

thank Ruth Ginman, Manager Funding Programs, Annette Mitchell, Special Assistance Program Coordinator,

and Carmit Kordov, Information and Referral Coordinator who provided our services with great care and

attention. It's been a pleasure working with you and Ontario Division to achieve our common goal of providing

quality services to those living with MS and their families.

Chapter Update

It's an exciting time at the Chapter and we'd like to introduce you to two terrific new staff members!

Brandi Easton We are very pleased to announce our full-time Client

Services Coordinator, Brandi Easton! If you attend

yoga or are involved in support groups, you may

likely have had the pleasure of meeting Brandi

already.

Brandi started at the Chapter on September 13th

and

comes to us from the Neurological Rehabilitation

Institute of Ontario. With a Bachelor of Applied

Science in Therapeutic Recreation and a Diploma in

Social Services-Gerontology, Brandi has several years

of solid experience working with a variety of clients

and health professionals to provide exceptional care,

services and programs.

With Brandi's expertise, we're very much looking

forward to continue offering excellent client services

and to provide some new programs over the coming

months. Brandi will work to improve our service to

the Chapter's clients as well as continue the

Information and Referral program.

Brandi will be contacting all our clients over the next

couple of weeks to introduce herself and say a friendly

"hello." If you'd like to give her a welcome call first,

feel free to contact her at 905-278-6186. Brandi has

told us how excited she is to be working at the

Chapter and to meeting all of you!

Pam Gignac It is with much pleasure that we introduce our Senior

Fundraising Coordinator, Pam Gignac. Pam's energy

and enthusiasm for the Chapter and the MS Society

will certainly attract donor and sponsor attention!

Pam's aunt lived with MS for many years until

she passed away in 2007. Together with having

worked as a volunteer for Rick Hansen's Man in

Motion Tour and as a fundraiser at the Alzheimer

Society of Canada, Pam comes to us with some

insights and understanding of the impact and

challenges of MS.

A professional fundraiser since 1985 and formerly the

Manager of Donor Relations and Major Gifts at the

Canadian Red Cross as well as the General Manager

of Relationship Fundraising at the YMCA of Greater

Toronto, Pam is well versed in the many ways of

fundraising. She's also the editor and co-author of the

book, Major Donors: Finding Big Gifts in Your

Database and Online and teaches in the Fundraising

Program at Humber College.

The Fundraising Committee and Pam are working

closely together to ensure that the much-needed funds

come into the Chapter to secure all our programs and

services. Presently, Pam is creating a fundraising

implementation plan and is already setting up a few

new fundraisers for the Chapter! With Pam's extensive

expertise in fundraising and donor relations, we look

forward to raising the necessary funds for our client

services, research contribution and revenue sharing

programs.

For more information on Client Services, contact Brandi at 905-278-6186

The Annual BBQ!! Our BBQ on August 18

th was a huge success! We had a record number of

attendees who enjoyed some quality time on the Derry House grounds

with an amazing view of Lake Ontario. We dined upon scrumptious hotdogs,

hamburgers and salads followed by some colourful cupcakes made by our

wonderful students. The auction, led

by master auctioneer Geoff Hancock,

had lots of great items for great prices!

Many thanks to everyone who brought

items to auction and to those who

purchased them. Thanks too to all who

came out and joined in the fun!

Memories of Summer Fun!

It’s hard to believe that the summer is over and our valuable Summer

Enrichment Program has wrapped up. Alicia, Brianna, Seana and

Gagin were our super students who made summer so much fun for

our clients. There was so much going on – a movie afternoon, Casino,

bowling, tea party, lunch at Mandarin as well as shopping, various

recreational outings and so much more!

The Summer Enrichment Program is one of the Chapter’s most

important and appreciated programs. Many thanks go to our funders:

The Pendle Foundation, Canada Summer Jobs and the YMCA which

covered the costs of the program. Although we won’t be eligible to

apply for a Pendle Foundation grant again in 2011, the Chapter’s

Fundraising Committee is making plans to ensure that funding will be

secured for next year. We look forward to another summer of

activities and cheer for our clients in 2011!

Moving Waters for

Multiple Sclerosis

This Hydro Therapy swim

program is specialized and

designed for people with

MS as a way to improve mobility,

flexibility, coordination, balance and endurance.

This hydro therapy program is an excellent way to

stay fit and active through the fall and winter.

For the complete Therapeutic Aquatic Exercise Fall

Program Schedule and fees, please contact Brandi.

Subsidies for the program may be available upon

request.

TIME: every Wednesday afternoon, 2:30-3:15pm.

LOCATION: Huron Pool, 830 Paisley Blvd W.

PHONE: 905-615-4820 x 2450

Client Services

For more information on Client Services, contact Brandi at 905-278-6186

Bowling!

Thanks to our new arrangement

with Ontario Division (see inside

the cover page for details), we

have time to plan more events

and outings for our clients!

We are pleased to announce the commencement of

our new monthly bowling group on the last

Thursday of each month.

Mark October 28th

in your calendars as the

MS Halloween Bowling Event. Come dressed up

in your favourite Halloween costume for a chance

to win a prize!

TIME: 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm

COST: $4.50 per person. Clean indoor shoes may

be worn instead of bowling shoes if you wish.

LOCATION: John Paul 2 Polish Culture Centre

is fully wheelchair accessible and the lanes are

located in the basement of the building (second

building from entrance).

Centre Bowl: 4300 Cawthra Road; 905-306-0043

Please contact Brandi to sign up!

Tai Chi People living with MS

are enjoying the many

therapeutic benefits of

practicing the art of

Tai Chi, a gentle slow

movement exercise that

is known for the

improvement of health

and relaxation.

Come out and experience a class for yourself and

discover a genuine path for health and tranquility.

The Taoist Tai Chi Society in Mississauga, a volunteer

non-profit organization, is welcoming you to try your

first class free of charge.

Classes are each Tuesday evening from 6:00 - 7:30pm

and the cost is $60 for four months plus a $20

registration fee. Subsidies may be provided.

The Taoist Tai Chi Society: 348 Lakeshore Rd. E.

905-274-0019; www.taoist.org

Yoga

The Chapter’s fall yoga session that began in

September is sold out. Stay tuned for the winter

schedule which will be announced in our

December e-newsletter.

Client Services

For more information on Client Services, contact Brandi at 905-278-6186

Journey to Wellness The Journey to Wellness is a four-week educational series that will run

every Tuesday evening in November: 2nd

, 9th

, 16th

, and 23rd

from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

The first three sessions, on November 2nd

, 9th

and 16th

, will take place at the Meadowvale Community Centre

(6655 Glen Erin Drive). The fourth and final session, on November 23rd

, will take place at the PC Cooking

School located in The Real Canadian Superstore (3045 Mavis Road).

Week One: MS Research Update Aprile Royal, RN, MEd, of the MS Society’s Ontario Division will update attendees on

what’s new in MS Research. There will be plenty of time for general questions.

Week Two: Physical Fitness and MS Alison Bonnyman, a physiotherapist with a master’s degree in Aquatics

will provide details on the benefits and disadvantages of Aquatic Exercise

and MS.

Michael Mawryczew, who works in Kinesiology, will talk on Movement

Enhancement via Daily Activities. There will be time for questions

following each speaker.

Week Three: Emotional Wellness and MS A member from The Credit Valley Hospital’s START Program will talk about this

program which helps people take personal responsibility for their mental health and

overall well being. Again, there will be plenty of time for questions.

Week Four: Nutrition and MS In this final week we will learn to prepare quick, easy and nutritional meals.

There will be 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners prepared and the best part,

you get to eat them too!

Handouts will be provided throughout the four sessions and you will receive a folder, a note pad and a pen.

The total cost of all four sessions is $10 which is due at the time of registration. Please note that registration

is required no later than Tuesday, October 19th

by contacting Brandi at 905-278-6186 or by email to

brandi.easton@mssociety.ca. Subsidies may be available upon request.

Many thanks to Teva Neuroscience for providing the funding for these sessions

which significantly reduced the cost to participants!

For more information on Client Services, contact Brandi at 905-278-6186

Client Services

MS Self-Help Support Group This daytime group is for people with MS to discuss

issues and enjoy a friendly chat. It’s held on the first

Thursday of the month from 10:00 am until noon at

the Eden United Church (3051 Battleford Rd.)

“Guys with MS” Support Group This support group is designed exclusively for men

with MS to meet, share information, and build a social

network. Spend an evening with the guys who have

some similar symptoms, questions and concerns about

their diagnosis. Meetings take place on the last

Tuesday of the month from 7:00 pm until 9:00 pm at

Montana’s Restaurant in the Erin Mills Town Centre..

Caregivers Support Group This group supports those individuals who are

caregivers for people with MS. Spend some time

discussing concerns and find solutions. The

Caregivers’ Group meets monthly on the second

Thursday of the month (or at the convenience of the

group) at the Sunrise Senior Living Center

(1279 Burnhamthorpe Road E.) from 7:00-9:00 pm.

Newly Diagnosed Support Group Were you diagnosed within the last five years? If so,

would you be interested in a support group for those

who have been recently diagnosed? We can arrange a

monthly support group if there is enough interest from

our clients. Call Brandi if you're interested.

MS Support Groups

If you’re looking to find peer support and a social network to discover new ways to cope with issues

you may be facing, we have several support groups that you may find beneficial.

You're Invited!!

As of July 1st and after lengthy but advantageous

negotiations, the Mississauga Chapter is now

managing our lovely little Derry House!

Among the many benefits of this arrangement with

the City of Mississauga is that we can use the House

to host client events and programs that satisfy our

needs and schedules and without any additional cost

of renting space at other locations!

In celebration, we are inviting all of you to a special

Saturday Afternoon Open House in November!

While we don’t have a set date yet, we are making

preparations by refinishing the floors and applying a

nice new coat of paint on the walls - services which

were generously offered by a local contractor!

Also prior to the Open House, we, with the assistance of the City, are taking care of an unfortunate mishap in

the basement where we store our supplies: the ceiling fell in. On the bright side, there wasn’t too much

damage to our stored items as most of them had already been removed after the basement flooded the week

before.

Once we finish the Derry House Makeover we’ll contact you by email with the details of the Open House.

Make sure you’ve submitted your email address to Brandi at brandi.easton@mssociety.ca so you’ll receive

your notification. If you don’t have an email address, don’t worry – we’ll call you with the details!

We’re looking forward to celebrating with you in our new-and-improved Derry House in November!

Client Services

For more information on Client Services, contact Brandi at 905-278-6186

An afternoon at the movies? An evening at the Art Gallery of Ontario?

The Access 2 Entertainment program provides free admission or a substantial

discount for the support person of a person with a disability (the person who has the

disability pays the regular admission fee) at all participating entertainment venues.

Many people with disabilities require the assistance of a support person to help them with daily activities.

Recreation and leisure activities are an important component of good health and well-being. Through education,

businesses have begun to recognize that accommodating people with disabilities in this way makes a big

difference to the community.

In order to obtain an Access 2 Entertainment program card, an application form must be completed and signed

by an authorized health care provider (our Client Services Coordinator, Brandi Easton, is a Recreation Therapist

who can sign your application form). There is also a small fee of $20 payable to Easter Seals Canada. For a

listing of all attractions and theatres or for more information on obtaining a card, visit www.access2.ca.

For more information on Client Services, contact Brandi at 905-278-6186

Client Services

Annual Mississauga Chapter Holiday Luncheon

Can you believe it’s time to announce our December Holiday Luncheon?

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, December 8th

at 1:30 pm

at the Sunrise Senior Living Centre (4046 Erin Mills Parkway)!

The turkey lunch will be served buffet style with all the

traditional festive fare: stuffing, potatoes, vegetables,

cranberry sauce, dessert, coffee or tea.

Come out and enjoy the Holiday feast, win some terrific raffle prizes and

take away a gift bag put together especially for you by the Chapter staff and Board!

The cost per person is $12.

Be sure to RSVP to Brandi by November 24th

.

!

Snow Removal Programs

The City of Mississauga has a Snow Removal

Subsidy program available for up to $200. To be

eligible for the subsidy you must reside in Mississauga

as the legal owner or tenant of the residential property,

be able to provide receipts and other documentation

verifying the claim and be physically disabled in such

a way as to restrict your mobility.

An application at the end of the season is required to

receive a subsidy. Call the City at 3-1-1 to apply.

Do you need help with

snow removal?

Links2Care is a multi-service community

organization that delivers a variety of services

and programs region-wide. Some services that

may be of benefit this fall/winter season include:

eaves cleaning, yard/garden care and snow removal.

For snow removal it is important to act quickly

as spaces are limited. Please contact

Gail at Links2Care at 905-822-3500 x102.

www.links2care.ca

Driveway Windrow Snow

Clearing Program

Mississauga will also be participating in a new

city-wide pilot program to clear snow windrows.

(A windrow is the snow that is left at the bottom of

a driveway after a snow plough has cleared a road.)

This FREE program is offered to older adults

(65 yrs+) and individuals who are physically

disabled (as verified by a regulated health

professional and who are eligible for financial

assistance from the City).

Those who are 65+ or are physically disabled but

not eligible for financial assistance will be charged

$200 to participate.

You must apply by Friday, October 29, 2010 to

receive this service.

For more information visit the City's website

at http://www.mississauga.ca/portal/residents/

drivewaywindrowpilotprogram

or call City of Mississauga at 3-1-1.

Are Your Ready for the Snow? -- Yes! Snow!!

The second annual

Cruisin’ for a Cause fundraiser held on

August 26 by A&W

nearly doubled last year’s

total and raised over

$700,000 for the

MS Society. More than

700 A&W restaurants

across Canada helped

raise funds through the

sale of classic car cut-

outs, donation boxes and

by donating $1 from

every Teen Burger® sold.

Thank you A&W!

Call for Directors

We are looking for individuals who are familiar with

MS to join the Chapter's volunteer Board of Directors.

If you have experience in the following fields, we

invite you to contact us:

medical / health

project management

fundraising / development

public relations and communications

legal services

strategic planning

marketing

general business and senior management

experience

If you're interested in serving the Chapter and

upholding its mission through responsible

governance practices, please contact Richard Benn at

905-949-3104 or by email at rbenn@cma-canada.org.

Richard would be happy to address any questions you

might have about these positions.

Be a Volunteer!

What Does a

Board of Directors Do?

The Mississauga Chapter Board of Directors invites

all Chapter members to an educational evening on

Governance and the Board.

On Monday, October 25th

from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at

the Derry House, guest Richard Leblanc, a recognized

authority on governance, will discuss the roles and

responsibilities of a Board including fiduciary duty,

strategic planning and direction, and risk reduction.

Coffee, tea and desserts will be served, compliments

of the Mississauga Board of Directors.

Please RSVP by Friday, October 22nd

by calling the

Chapter office or by emailing Laurie Wilhelm, Chair,

Board of Directors at info.mississauga@mssociety.ca.

About our guest:

Richard Leblanc is an

award-winning teacher and

researcher, consultant,

lawyer and specialist on

boards of directors.

He is a former recipient of

Canada’s Top 40 Under 40™

award and was recently named

to Canadian Who’s Who.

Fundraising

Mississauga Chapter's Annual Charity Classic 201

Our very own Michael "Augy" Augustine is headed for the hills...

actually, he's headed for a mountain. A really BIG mountain.

Next October (2011) Mike will embark on the single, most daring thing

he - or pretty much most of us for that matter - has done in his entire

life: he will climb 17,600 feet to attain Mt. Everest base camp...

in his WHEELCHAIR!!!

Mike's adventure is part of a very successful fundraising campaign, MS Climb, that has already raised

thousands of dollars for the Society. MS Climb is a five-year initiative to raise $1 million through hiking

around the world.

Show your support today and sponsor Mike. Help him achieve his goal to raise $100,000 for the Mississauga

Chapter and to help end MS. Visit Mike's website at www.everestchairlift.ca and make a pledge.

You can also join in the MS Climb and go on an adventure of a lifetime while raising funds for the Chapter.

Find out how you can get involved by visiting the MS Climb website at www.msclimb.ca.

Fundraising

Friends of the Chapter: B&B Trade Distribution Centre, Mercantile Exchange Corp,

Onyx Freight-Works, CGF Products, Marketing Breakthrough, Goodman Canada

Mercantile Exchange Corp, Onyx Freight-Works Inc.

Mississauga Chapter's Annual Charity Golf Classic

On Tuesday, September 14th

, the Mississauga Chapter held its 10th

Annual

Charity Golf Classic at the Royal Ontario Golf & Country Club. Our golfers

were treated to a beautiful, sunny day and lots of on-course activities as well

as good food and drink! Some golfers took advantage of our great auction and

took home some terrific items. Judging by the smiles, laughter and buzz of

conversation, everyone had a wonderful time and we are pleased to report that

the event raised more than $30,000 for the Chapter!

Congratulations to our winners!

2010 Winning Foursome

John Loynd, Mike Smith, Peter Mahovlich, Tony French

Closest to the Pin #11 Closest to the Line #5 Myles Tompkins Mike Smith

Thank you to everyone who made this 10th

golf tournament a great success

including all our sponsors and in-kind donors. Your generosity and support are

essential for the Chapter to continue assisting those living with MS.

A special "Thank You!" goes to Roger Grochmal and Michael Grochmal

whose company, AtlasCare, was our Presenting Sponsor.

Your participation, support and encouragement were most appreciated.

Thank you, Roger and Michael,

we truly appreciate all you've done for the Chapter.

Presenting Sponsor

Lunch Sponsor

Driving Range Sponsor

Raffle Sponsor

Beverage Cart Sponsor

Hole Sponsors

Save

the

Date!

October 25: Governance Education Session

October 28: Bowling

November TBD!! – Saturday Afternoon Open House, Derry House

November 2: Journey to Wellness: MS Research Update

November 9: Journey to Wellness: Physical Fitness and MS

November 16: Journey to Wellness: Emotional Wellness and MS

November 23: Journey To Wellness: Nutrition and MS

December 8: Annual Holiday Luncheon

Transit Solutions

RecRider: Programs in Transit.

RecRider, a program offered by Recreational Respite, offers a unique, flexible and individualized

transportation service that ensures supportive and continued community involvement for users going to:

rehabilitation programs recreation centres adult day centres

support groups church volunteer opportunities

Rates: Single use rates at $0.90/km

Companions are welcome at an additional $5 round trip (all prices are subject to HST)

Travel Block Rates

0-10 km Round Trip 11-20 km Round Trip

2x per week (total 40 km) $38 2x per week (total 80 km) $76

3x per week (total 60 km) $54 3x per week (total 120 km) $108

For more information on Recreational Respite’s program or to book your travel for RecRider,

please call Recreational Respite at 905-813-0336 or visit www.recrespite.com.

Transit Solutions: Taxi!!

The Taxi Script Program is a subsidized taxi program offered to people living in Peel whose transport options

are limited because of a disability. Booklets of script valued at $40 are sold to you for $25 each! A maximum

of 6 booklets per month to each registered passenger can be purchased and you can use credit card, Interac,

cheque or cash to make your payment. To assess your eligibility for the program, contact the Region of Peel

to receive an application form. If you are a current TransHelp user, you are automatically eligible for this

program.

To access this program, please contact 905-791-1015 x4476.

It's time to go... the paper newsletter, that is! Many of you have been asking when the Chapter's newsletter will be sent by email. We'd like to thank you for

your encouragement to save the Chapter money on paper, copying, and postage. So - this is the last paper copy of

the Chapter's newsletter. Starting in November, and every month after that, you will receive your newsletter

electronically! If you don't have email, don't worry! We'll still mail paper newsletters to those members who do

not have access to email.

We'd like to thank Biogen for their sponsorship of this newsletter!