TRUE HOLIDAY SPIRIT MDA Families Benefit From Local Business Efforts

Charlotte, NC – Throughout the year, the Charlotte MDA offers help and hope to local families living with neuromuscular diseases. This is especially important during the holiday. Several area businesses have partnered to host a holiday brunch and party for MDA families on Saturday, Dec. 10th at the Park Hotel in Charlotte.

The festivities featured Santa and his Elves, a magician, a DJ, and gifts for the children to help ring in a happy holiday season. This year’s event was made possible due to the overwhelming generosity of the Charlotte community and especially Don Woloszynek, Manager, Rebates and Fleet Services with National Gypsum, the Charlotte-based construction supply corporation, who coordinated the event.

“This year I made this party my goal and as of today I think we are well on our way,” said Woloszynek. “I worked with the Park Hotel here in Charlotte to host the event, persuaded a local caterer (Cardillo's Kitchen) to cater the affair and with donations from local businesses and just some nice people we raised almost $800 for gifts for the smaller children. So in our initial season, I'm pleased with our progress.”

Sponsors of the party included: National Gypsum, The Park Hotel, Wilmar Leasing, Burns Automotive and Cardillo’s Kitchen.

In addition to the holiday party, MDA offers help throughout the year by providing a number of services to local families:

Clinic: The MDA ALS/Neuromuscular Center located at the Carolinas Medical Center is staffed by neuromuscular experts and offers diagnostic and follow-up consultations, assessments for several types of therapy, genetic counseling, referrals to other specialists, and more. MDA covers the cost of these visits 4 times per year after insurance is billed.

Support Groups: A Teen Social Group, an ALS group, and a General Group offer families served by MDA emotional support, advice, and the knowledge that they are not alone in their fight against neuromuscular diseases.

MDA Summer Camp: Held each year at Camp Bethelwoods in York, SC. This fun-filled week is free to the children ages 6-21 with a neuromuscular disease (it costs MDA $600 per child to attend). It is a magical place offering a wide range of activities specially designed for young people who have limited mobility or use a wheelchair. Activities range from boating, fishing, swimming and soccer to less physically demanding programs such as arts and crafts and talent shows.

Dollars: Financial support for the purchase and repair of assistive equipment. This includes wheelchairs, leg braces and communication devices. MDA also houses a local loan closet where equipment not funded by the Association such as lifts, walkers and hospital beds can be borrowed for as long as the patient needs.

Flu Shots: MDA will pay up to $25 per year for Flu Shots which are critical to people living with neuromuscular diseases that affect the respiratory system.

MDA provides hope in the form of research. MDA continues to be the world-leader in neuromuscular disease research, spending over $34,000,000 on research in the last fiscal year.

“Being a part of MDA means that I am providing help and hope to the families in my community,” said Sarah Baldwin, Healthcare Service Coordinator. “I know when I meet families at our MDA/ALS Center here in Charlotte or see the smiles on the children's faces at summer camp that I am helping them live with these diseases. By making the community aware of MDA and raising funds to support worldwide neuromuscular research and ALS research, I am providing hope that the cure will be found.”