The Calgary Fire Fighters will be holding a Boot Drive on June 1^stat Market Mall (outside Arnold Churgin and Moxies by the East Entrance) from 9:30 a.m. to approximately 4 p.m. We are looking for families that might be able to stop by and say hi and thank them at some point during the day.  If you are available and could take some time from your day, it would be greatly appreciated. 

Also - if you do make an appearance and happen to take photos please send  them to us so we can post them on our BLOG (http://calgchapmdc.tumblr.com/), and on our FACEBOOK page (www.facebook.com/CalgaryChapterMDC)!

Thank you!  We will be in touch again soon with other news & exciting updates from our chapter!

The new year is here, and our Connections Meetings are back in full swing! Here is the information & details about our upcoming meeting on January 10th!

Please join us for a night of peer support and sharing of information!

~~ Special Guest Speaker: Leanne Demchuk, Wish Coordinator - Alberta and NWT Chapter ~~

Leanne Demchuk is the Wish Coordinator for Alberta and NWT Chapter of The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada. She has worked for Children’s Wish for almost six years and she has granted 700 plus wishes. Wishes have ranged from computers to horse wishes; celebrity wishes like meeting the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge; and lots of travel wishes to places like Disney World, Hawaii, Australia, Russia, Turks and Caicos and even Toronto. Each wish is as unique as the wish child and their wish request. Everyday is different and you never know what wish request the next phone call might bring. Leanne considers it an honour and a privilege to have a job like this – to be a fairy Godmother.

                   

—- Refreshments will be provided.—-
We will NOT cover the cost of meals

Our groups focus to provide support and information on topics such as:

· Medical Care
· Finances
· Fundraising
· Personal & Peer Support
· Advocacy, by…

“Creating community by sharing knowledge, courage and hope.”

Our meetings are FREE! to attend, and our group is open to all ages & neuromuscular disorders!

Remember this group is here for YOU; our clients, their families, friends and caregivers. Its an unstructured group, as we want to be able to talk and share about whatever issues & triumphs are at the current forefront of your lives.

If you were downtown Calgary near Eau Claire Market on November 24, 2012, you may have seen a mass of 300+ runners our trying to catch some elves.  This was all in support of Muscular Dystrophy Canada and the 9th Annual Catch the Elves Run hosted by the Calgary Chapter of Muscular Dystrophy Canada.

To kick off our event we had a fabulous warm up by trainers from InLiv, where they had all of our runners and elves moving and shaking to get their muscles moving before the run. 

After the run, we were thrilled to have the witty & wonderful emcee, Andrew Schultz from CityTV Calgary, keep things rolling.  He was a great as he introduced and informed everyone in attendance about the many highlights of the event such as;

Performances by the Cenovus and Encana Christmas choirs, beautiful dancers from the Irwin School of Irish Dancing, face painting by Mystical Masks, massage therapy from PinPoint Massage Therapeutics, and Body Bling Tattoos to add some sparkle to all!

While runners enjoyed fabulous food donated from Safeway, we were able to had out lots of prizes to runners of all ages, showcase and have people bid on the fantastic items in our silent auction, and then draw for one lucky winner in our 50/50 draw!

We received significant media coverage including; City TV Breakfast Show, five live remotes on CTV’s breakfast show, radio interview on Jack FM, both CTV and CBC covered the actual event, plus much more!

Overall our event was a huge success raising over $20,000 (and counting) to help fight muscular dystrophy!! 

Of course, our event and success could have been done without our fabulous sponsors whom we send a huge THANK YOU to…

• Breakthrough Communications
• Envious Events & Marketing
• Scotiabank Saddledome
• Eagle Trust Energy
• Canada Safeway
• Cardel Homes
• Remington
• Leasex Realty

Lastly – thank you to Steve Zumbrunn for capturing our day in photos!!  Here’s a glimpse just for you!

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.401114053296554.92941.191222484285713&type=1

The MDC Calgary Chapter treasurer Linda Tovey accepted an invitation to attend the Dec 2nd membership meeting of the Royal Canadian Legion No. 1 Branch in Calgary.

The Legion presented cheques to 15 charities and organizations at the meeting.  

We would like to thank the Legion for their generous donation of $400.00 to Muscular Dystrophy Canada.

On December 1^st, the Calgary Chapter of Muscular Dystrophy Canada hosted its Annual Christmas Party.  The Chapter had the pleasure of putting this party together for the clients and their families – thanks to the awesome help of all of our Chapter Executive.

We had our space packed with 15 families, consisting of 26 “Adults” and 20 “kids” who gathered together to kick of December with an excellent Christmas Party!

All those in attendance enjoyed a special visit from the jolly-old-man, Santa Claus!

As well as a fantastic gingerbread house decorating contest, followed by a DELICIOUS Turkey Dinner!

A HUGE Thank you must go out to Karyn Lee with Prairie Sky Images & Designwho graciously donated her time and skills to capture our party in photos.

You’ve seen a few of the pictures here – but you can view them all by checkout out our Album on our Facebook Page

And last but not least, we would like to say Thank you to Candisse McCormick for using her event planning skills and pulling off such a fantastic party.  Check out her company Envious Events & Marketing.

We had a fabulous day for the Go Girl Fashions fundraiser on Nov 3rd.  What a fun way to raise money, and awareness, for Muscular Dystrophy.

Paulette Barke, the owner of Go Girl Fashions and Accessories donated $1500.00 to Muscular Dystrophy Canada, which was 25% of the days’ sales. That’s right; we raised $1,500.00 while customers enjoyed a day of retail therapy.

Paulette and her husband Manny own a printing company in Calgary called the Copy Cellar.  The Copy Cellar printed 500 handouts to be distributed; plus Paulette emailed her extensive client list, and her friends and associates to get the word out.        

A huge thank you to Paulette, Manny and the staff at Go Girl Fashions for their hard work and support.

Thanks to this “lovely” Alberta weather - it’s made us have to change our minds.  Tonight’s Connections Meeting is CANCELLED!!  :(

Please stay tuned for more updates about upcoming events by following us here - and on our FACEBOOK page: http://www.facebook.com/CalgaryChapterMDC

Hey everyone - we just want to let you know that our November Connections Meeting - w/ Special Guest Speaker: Dr. Gary Klaudt, Chiropractor is still a go!

Please come out if you can and see Dr. Gary’s presentation!

Christmas Party Invitations have been sent out! Be sure to watch your mailbox and RSVP as soon as possible! Thanks!

On Nov 3rd Go Girl Fashions and Accessories is teaming up with Muscular Dystrophy for a fund raising event. Up to 25% of the sales that day will be donated to Muscular Dystrophy Canada!!

Come see the great selection of clothing, jewellery, purses, scarves, belts and more. What a great way to start your Christmas shopping!

Mark Nov 3 on your calendar and bring your friends and family to the store between 10:00 and 5:00. Go Girl is located in Inglewood at1419 – 9 Avenue SE!!