Letter to the Editor: Humbled by the Generosity of the Door County Community

We are grateful and honored by your support of Challenge Walk MS: Door County, held Sept. 22-24. Following the devastating fire on Sept. 5 at our host venue, Rowleys Bay Resort, our event was in serious doubt. And when an event is in doubt, that means critical funding for cutting-edge research and essential programs for those living with MS is also in doubt. The outpouring of support in the aftermath of the fire is a testament to what it means to be a Door County and Wisconsin resident. We are humbled by your generosity.

To our lodging partners (Parkwood Lodge, Birchwood Lodge, and Door County Rental Houses), your flexibility and first-class service ensured all our participants had a comfortable room and bed after completing a long day of walking or volunteering. To our catering partners (Thyme Catering, Wilson’s Restaurant, and Savor BBQ), your delicious meals fueled our participants and gave them the experience they expect and deserve.

To Brian Fitzgerald and the Peninsula Pacers, the work you did behind the scenes in just 17 short days to ensure our participants had safe, accessible, and scenic routes was nothing short of extraordinary. We are continuously grateful for your work, but especially this year.

To Jewel Ouradnik and the Rowleys Bay Resort staff, your level of professionalism and unmatched customer service, even in the face of the unimaginable, allowed us to take immediate action and piece the event back together. You are always in our thoughts as you will forever be our partners.

Thanks to those listed above and so many others, a full three-day, 50-mile Challenge Walk MS: Door County event was able to commence as normal and we are thrilled to say we are on track to raise over $430,000 this year, more than $100,000 above our 2023 goal and a near all-time high! Whether you donated, walked, volunteered, offered up your home for a walker, or anything in between, you helped make that incredible impact happen – and we cannot thank you enough.

Rob Multerer

President, National MS Society-Wisconsin Chapter

Brookfield, Wisconsin

Joe Holtman

Senior Manager, National MS Society

Brookfield, Wisconsin