Skagit Powersports Donates Custom Trailer to the MS-Express

Anacortes, Washington, February 6, 2006 – On the heels of Washington Governor Christine Gregoire’s endorsement of The Spirit of Hope Foundation, founder Carlo Magno announced that Skagit Powersports of Burlington has donated a custom-made 8 x 10’ handicapped-accessible trailer for use during the MS-Express, Magno’s cross-country trek in his antique, electric wheelchair “Blu.”

Scheduled to depart in June, Magno and three-legged assistance dog Katie will travel 4,300 miles along the northern United States, making keynote stops in cities along the route including Missoula, Montana; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Chicago, Illinois; Cherry Hill, New Jersey; Washington, D.C.; and ending at Yankee Stadium in New York City. The goal of the MS Express is to raise awareness for handicapped accessibility issues on behalf of the City of Anacortes and to raise $1 million for Multiple Sclerosis.
Magno, delighted with the donated “drive-up” trailer, said that Cameron has been one of his biggest supporters from the minute the MS-Express was conceived. He’s in our corner 100%, Magno said.

Having known Magno since 1992, Cameron has offered his friendship and resources since the inception of the MS-Express.
“People want to bet on a winner,” Cameron said, “And Carlo is definitely leading a winning team!”

The Spirit of Hope Foundation, a 501(c)3 corporation based in Anacortes, devotes its resources to education and advocacy for Multiple Sclerosis and to accessibility and quality of life issues for the disabled. The foundation is committed to helping individuals affected by Multiple Sclerosis to maintain independence, physical health, and emotional well-being through resource networking.

For more information about The Spirit of Hope Foundation and the MS-Express, contact Carlo Magno at 360-293-3953 or 360-630-1044, or visit the foundation’s Web site at www.thespiritofhope.org. Photos are available upon request.