Bike MS - Road Sweat & Gears 2008

There are few activities more satisfying than a bicycle ride through the mountains on a summer day.  Add friends and festivities to the picture and you have the components for a perfect weekend.

The Idaho Division of the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society has assembled all the workings for such a perfect weekend with its 2008 Bike MS: Road, Sweat and Gears Ride in McCall and Donnelly.  On Saturday, August 23 and Sunday, August 24th, more than 200 cyclists are expected to ride to raise support for this unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system.

Using Camp Pinewood in McCall as their base, participants can choose from 20, 40 and 60 mile routes offered on Saturday and 25 and 50 mile routes offered on Sunday.  There is also an intermediate mountain bike ride out of Jug Mountain Ranch being offered on Sunday.

After riding each day there will be entertainment offered at the finish line celebration.  Activities for participants and supporters at the camp throughout the weekend will include frisbee golf, miniature golf, river tubing, and volleyball.  Massage therapists will be on hand to offer relief for sore muscles.

Every rider is required to raise a minimum of $200.  Funds raised will support direct services for the more than 1,800 people with MS and their families in Idaho as well as to help fund national MS research.

Multiple sclerosis interrupts the flow of information from the brain to the body and stops people from moving.  MS affects more than 400,000 people in the U.S., and 2.5 million worldwide.

The Idaho Division of the National MS Society offers several programs including newly diagnosed support, educational programs, wellness programs, publications, self-help groups and financial assistance.

Entry fees for the ride are $20 team, $30 individual and $50 on the day of the ride. For more information, please call 388-1998 or visit www.msidaho.org

McPaws – Auction for the Animals

“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.”
Anatole France

On Thursday, July 31, animal lovers from several counties will gather at the Whitetail Club and Resort on Payette Lake in McCall for the MCPAWS Auction for the Animals.  This special party, held every other summer, features cocktails, dinner, and a live and silent auction – all to benefit homeless, abandoned and abused animals in Valley County.

A sumptuous dinner will be prepared by Whitetail’s chef. The silent auction will include a large variety of art, and one-of–a kind items, many of which are animal- themed. There will also be a custom-made dog bed, a case of Spanish wine with a set of hand-blown wine glasses, a cruiser bike, and a long-time favorite – creative and colorful ceramic pet bowls, individually designed and hand-painted by local artists.

The live auction will feature condominium stays in both Puerto Vallarta and Hawaii, a weekend getaway package to Park City, Utah, a raft trip, a massage a month for a year, and much more.

MCPAWS began as an animal welfare volunteer group in 1998.  Back then they cared for dogs impounded by the McCall Police Department at a small cinderblock building located on city airport property. That building has since been torn down.

Volunteers walked the dogs three times a day, every day, cleaned kennels and provided food and water. They also reunited lost dogs with their owners, placed stray dogs into new homes and raised money to buy dog food, kennels, and pay for spay and neuter surgeries.

MCPAWS has come a long way since then. They now serve all of Valley County and accept both dogs and cats. Since opening their facility in 2002 they have taken in and found homes for nearly 4,000 animals.   Their animal save rate is 93% - one of the highest in the entire United States.

Auction for the Animals is their largest fundraiser and provides the much-needed funding for the organization, the only animal shelter in Valley County.  Seating is limited for this always-popular event so register early.  Tickets to the Auction for the Animals are $75 each.

To purchase tickets or to sponsor a table, , please call MCPAWS at 208-634-3647.  For more information on how to to “Make MCPAWS Your Pet Cause,” go to www.mcpaws.org.