By Liz McBreen
The group, which began collecting money from sponsors several months ago, walked behind a banner reading "St. Andrew's All-Stars for Angela." The volunteers walked on April 6 in honor of Angela Salerno, a longtime parishioner of St. Andrew's who has been suffering from MS for 12 years.
MS is a degenerative disease that attacks the central nervous system and as yet is incurable. Symptoms often begin with numbness in the limbs, and over years the disease causes paralysis and loss of vision. Although the severity and type of an individual's symptoms cannot be predicted, constant research and advances in treatment are giving hope to those with the disease. Last year, the Walk raised over $1.8 million, and a goal of $2 million was set for this year.
Bill Schutz, who along with his wife, Denise, acts as an advisor for the youth group, was approached by a customer in his bakery last year. She asked that Schutz and his son Eric walk in her place for her son, who has MS, and she sponsored them for $500. Schutz and his son had a positive experience and decided to get the youth group involved.
The Schutz's two children, Amanda and Eric, volunteered to walk this year and had raised over $14,000 by the day of the fundraiser. Angela's All-Stars raised about $24,000 as a team. "The MS Society is marveling at how much the kids have raised, since we are a small group with no corporate sponsors," said Denise.
"I am very touched that the youth group would do something so special. It's very hard to put my feelings into words," said Salerno. The money that is raised from the sponsorships goes directly to research to find a cure for MS.
Before the walk, Salerno said she could only go to Manhattan if the weather was mild enough. "I am planning to go if it is not too cold and not too warm," she said. "It can have a terrible affect on my condition. It can alter my balance and my vision." Because of Sunday's cold weather, she had to stay behind. Salerno's husband, Paul, however, took her place behind the banner bearing his wife's name.
Volunteers raised money by asking friends, family and business acquaintances to sponsor them. Amanda and Eric wrote to some of their father's customers and received donations as large as $500 to $1,000, according to Denise.
Joined this year by her daughter Danielle, Joan Wease first took part in the MS Walk two years ago. "I had such an enjoyable experience the first time that I wanted to do it again," she said. "I also wanted to do it for Angela."
Twelve-year-old Robin Perroto walked on Sunday because she feels that "people should be healed from their diseases."
Lisa Miracic decided to walk because she wanted to help Angela and others with the disease. "I think it will also be an interesting experience," she said.
The banner carried by the walkers was created by Amanda, and Gwynne Terrell, a member of the youth group, designed team t-shirts for the walkers to wear on their 7 1/2-mile trek.
Rev. Fred McElderry, the Pastor of St. Andrew's, was happy to see so many people taking part in the MS Walk. "This is probably the only way I would let them miss Mass on a Sunday," he joked.
Money raised through the MS Walk is allocated by the National MS Society to support services for people with the disease and their families, as well as funding for research that will someday lead to a cure. The services offered by the society include counseling, education, rehabilitation and equipment for people with MS.
Along the way, walkers were cheered on and encouraged, and treated to food and beverages at various rest stops. At the finish line, the walkers were rewarded with a celebration that included live music and food.
