There's always strength in numbers
Pam Ray is hoping for a big turnout at Monday's Hope Mills Board of Commissioners meeting in Town Hall.
We can understand why.
Mayor Eddie Dees is scheduled to issue a proclamation at the meeting designating March 8-13 as MS Awareness Week in Hope Mills.
The week is designed to increase awareness of multiple sclerosis, the most common disabling neurological condition affecting young adults.
Ray, following the adage of there being strength in numbers, believes it will be soothing and inspiring for all those affected by multiple sclerosis to band together. She hopes everyone who has been at all affected by the disease will show up Monday night.
Banding together, after all, is the premise behind the annual MS Awareness Walk that is scheduled to take place in Fayetteville on May 15 at Honeycutt Park.
Many who plan to walk are busy organizing team members and raising donations.
Libby Sessoms, for instance, is organizing a team she calls, "Walk for ALL.'' The acronym ALL stands for Hope Mills resident Amanda Lee Lockamy. Lockamy, who is Sessoms' niece, has lived with MS for eight years.
"We may be walking for Amanda but the "Walk 4 ALL" also stands for walking for everyone with MS,'' Sessoms is quoted as saying in a press release from the National MS Society. "... I love seeing more and more participation each year. Every dollar devoted to research counts."
The goal for the Fayetteville walk this year is to raise $55,000. In eastern North Carolina, the goal is $800,000.
Anyone who would like to participate can call (919) 792-1011 or go to the nationalmssociety.org.
Or just show up at Monday's Board of Commissioners meeting.
You are certain to find others who will be willing to help, willing to listen and willing to share ideas for helpful resources.