MS Day almost here

Times Reporter

 

The end of August means more than just the end of summer; it also means A&W’s annual MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Day is almost here. This year. Aug. 23 is the day dedicated to raising MS awareness while raising funds to help the MS Society of Canada. 

“As this topic is brought up more and more in the community, it’s amazing to see how many people are actually touched by this.  They tell us the stats 300,000 Canadians affected by MS, and you’re like okay it’s a big number but it’s not huge compared to Canada’s numbers,” said Strathmore’s A&W Manager Will Whatley.

“But almost every single customer we talk to knows someone who has it. I have three staff that have family members that have MS, we’ve had two former staff that had MS. It’s such a horrible disease that it’s really great to see the community talking about it.”

Last year Strathmore raised $7,339.75, surpassing the goal of $5,000. This year Whatley and his staff have been aiming higher, wanting to raise $10,000. 

“There’s no reason why we shouldn’t hit $10,000 this year,” said Whatley. 

Activities for MS Day will be held in the A&W parking lot. Whatley said the day will be similar to previous years: there will be free face painting, a Baby Burger eating contest at 5 p.m. and of course the kiddie carnival with games. 

“For a $10 donation to MS each kid will get a chance to play each game and (it’s) a guaranteed prize at each game station. They’ll end up with eight prizes for $10,” said Whatley. 

There will also be a chugging contest for those who want to test their skill. 

“At 7 p.m. we’re going to a do a root beer chugging contest. Last year we did a shot contest but this year we’re going with the 32-ounce mugs.”

Inside there will be the silent auction items waiting to be bid on, and tickets will be sold for the bucket draws. 

“Each staff member does a different one (bucket) so last year we had a lot of different things, we had a fishing rod with some fishing lures, we had hockey cards with bubblegum, we had DVD’s with a box of popcorn. Last year was our first time trying it just to get the staff a little more involved,” said Whatley. 

Whatley said he is hoping to have a few businesses pre-order Teen Burgers, which he will then have delivered to the company on the day. There were 556 teen burgers sold last year, $1 from each is also donated to MS, and Whatley would like to see that number increase by a few hundred this year.