Past Fundraisers of the Week

Check out their accomplishments and fundraising tips!

Week 1: Kate Burggraf

This is Kate’s first year riding in Bike MS New York City and she is off to a great start! She has already reached Top Fundraiser status having raised nearly $1,600 and surpassing her goal of $250)! As captain of her team of 10, “Focus on the Cure”, Kate is riding for her dad who was diagnosed with MS in the late 1990’s.

Read an excerpt from Kate’s “why I ride:”

“I can't imagine what it's like on a daily basis for him, but I do know that he has not let it take his life from him (or his family for that matter). I have never felt such love for a single person as I do with my dad. I hope that research can one day find a cure, and I'd like to be a part of getting there.”

Way to go Kate!

Fundraising tip: Remember to increase your fundraising goal as you reach it. Keep the momentum going by giving your donors a feeling that you are still trying to reach a goal.

Week 2: Amanda Nichols

This is Amanda’s third year participating in Bike MS New York City as a virtual rider. Amanda, a Top Fundraiser, has cumulatively raised nearly $7,000. She is co-captain of team “The Maybe Sump'MS” whose goal is to raise $20,000 this year!

Amanda was diagnosed with MS in 2008. According to her personal page, she “rides” because she wants to do everything she can to help make the lives of people living with MS “as normal as humanly possible.”

Congratulations, Amanda!

Fundraising tip: To help raise money for team Maybe Sump'MS, Amanda has planned four nights of music shows in three clubs in Boston, Somerville and Cambridge, MA . Borrow her idea! Plan any kind of event– a dinner party at your home, a garage or bake sale, a karaoke night, a bowling or poker tournament, a silent auction, etc., and donate the proceeds toward your Bike MS NYC fundraising efforts.

Week 3: Jeff Zimmerman

Jeff has been participating in Bike MS New York City since 2007 and last year he raised $3,485 making him #100 in the 2013 Elite 200 Club. This year, Jeff set his fundraising goal at $4,000 but he has already exceeded it having raised nearly $5,000!

He said he rides “because it's a horrible disease, and it's a total drag if you have it.” Jeff also has a very strong competitive edge and his fundraising motivation is to raise more than his wife, who is also riding and is herself a Top Fundraiser! This family has quite the fundraising chops!

Congratulations, Jeff!

Fundraising tip: Personalize your fundraising page! Check out Jeff’s page to inspire your creativity and go from there. Add a personal photo and let people know why fundraising for Bike MS New York City is important to you!

Week 4: William Donohue

William has been participating in Bike MS New York City since 2007 but hasn’t been able to ride since 2010. He joins us again in 2013 with a BANG! After just registering on August 28, he has already had more than a dozen donors help him to raise more than $1,300 and is a 2013 Top Fundraiser!

Congratulations, William!

Fundraising tip: Increase your fundraising goal when you reach it! It’s very easy to do (just follow the instructions below) and it lets your donors know that you are still striving toward a goal!

1. Login to your Participant Center at www.bikeMSnyc.org
2. Use the change link on the home page (see image below) and follow the instructions from there!

Week 5: Heidi Blickenstaff

This is Heidi’s first year riding in Bike MS New York City and she is off to an amazing start! Heidi joined team MSX during the August Team Recruitment Week and has already raised more than $6,000 toward her goal of $10,000! Heidi is proof that the rookies are coming to town and they mean business!

If she continues, Heidi is sure to secure her spot in the 2014 Elite 200 Club!

Congratulations, Heidi!

Fundraising Tip: Heidi joined the team during Team Recruitment Week and is already one of their leading fundraisers. Take advantage of the Bike MS New York City challenges: Fundraising Week is taking place September 16 – 20!