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Great River Energy CFO to host corporate breakfast to build support for Walk MS Feb. 22, 2008 Contact: Emily Wilson Minneapolis, MN — Great River Energy Chief Financial Officer Larry Schmid hosts a breakfast to raise awareness about multiple sclerosis, a disease that affects an estimated 9,000 people in Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Schmid also will recruit local business leaders to form corporate teams for the Walk MS: Christopher & Banks Walk 2008 presented by Anchor Bank. The event is at 7:30 a.m. Friday, March 7, at Anchor Bank Snelling in St. Paul, 1570 Concordia Ave. The event — held the week before MS Awareness Week March 10 to 17 — encourages corporate leaders to rally company employees to form teams or volunteer for the Christopher & Banks Walk presented by Anchor Bank, held May 4 in 17 sites throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Great River Energy — the second largest electric utility in the state — sponsors all 17 Walk MS sites. Each of the company’s 28 member cooperatives will be involved in the partnership by recruiting employees to participate or volunteer for the event. Schmid, who was named CFO of the year for large private companies by the "Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal," is treasurer of the National MS Society, Minnesota Chapter Board of Trustees. Speakers at the event include Carl Jones, president and CEO of Wayzata-based Anchor Bancorp — Walk MS presenting sponsor; Karen Larson, vice president of classified advertising at the Star Tribune and chair of the Minnesota Chapter Board of Trustees; and William Gillispie, board member and corporate vice president of grocery, frozen, dairy, specialty and ethnic with SUPERVALU, Inc. In 2007, the Christopher & Banks Walk raised nearly $2 million to help support programs and services for people living with MS in Minnesota and western Wisconsin and fund research to find a cure. Of that $2 million, $1.3 million was raised through Walk MS teams. Christopher & Banks Twin Cities Walk 2008 The National MS Society, Minnesota Chapter holds the Twin Cities walk Sunday, May 4, at Minnehaha Park in Minneapolis. Last year’s walk broke records in fundraising and participation with nearly 1,000 volunteers and 10,000 walkers raising approximately $1.9 million to help end MS. This year the 21st annual Walk MS: Christopher & Banks Walk is expected to raise more than $2 million to support programs and services for people with MS in Minnesota and western Wisconsin and research to find a cure. To learn more or register, visit http://www.mssociety.org/ or call 1-800-582-5296. MS Awareness Week March 10 to 17 marks the nationwide MS Awareness Week. The Minnesota Chapter encourages people throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin to join the movement to end MS and help people affected by the disease move forward. There are countless ways to help spread awareness about MS including registering for a bike ride, walk or motorsport event, volunteering for a Minnesota Chapter program or event, or making your mark against MS at http://www.themsmovement.org/. For information about volunteer opportunities or activities during MS Awareness Week, contact Jenna Washnieski at 612-335-7981 or jwashnieski@mssociety.org. About multiple sclerosis |
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