Opportunities From: The National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Set-up volunteers arrive early to help unload the supply truck and prepare the walk site by distributing supplies, setting up tents, tables, and chairs, hanging banners and signage, decorating tents and tables, and more! Heavy lifting required ≤50lbs.

This is a great job for families, school or athletic groups, boy and girl scout troops, etc. Often, set-up volunteers continue to a different assignment after set-up such as rest-stop or registration.

Assist staff with checking in volunteers, ensuring paperwork is turned in and volunteers receive a t-shirt and instructions for their volunteer shift. You may be asked to assist with other volunteer tasks such as set-up, spirit team, and cleanup. 

Registration and information volunteers assist staff with welcoming participants, looking-up participant name, confirming information and giving numbered packet to participant(s). This role may involve taking fundraising donations, so a background check is required. This is a seated opportunity.

Volunteers may be asked to support others areas of the event after registration has ended.

T-Shirt Distribution: Assist in handing out participant t-shirts. Organizing supplies and shirts by size and type, handing out shirts to qualifying participants, keeping area tidy, providing excellent customer service.  

Setting up and organizing refreshment and food service area, handing out beverages and prepackaged food to participants, replenishing items as needed, cleaning up area and putting away supplies.  

Gloves and sanitation materials will be provided. 

The Center: Mission Area: Setting up/breaking down area with appropriate supplies, managing the area during the event which may include passing out bandanas, Society print materials, speaking to constituents about MS Society. Usually staffed with at least one Staff member. 

Complete the Circle Display Greeters: Setting up/taking down Complete the Circle interactive graphic, set up and manage circle stickers, and offer instruction to participants on how to fill out and apply circle stickers to graphic.  

Circles of Support Team: Setting up/taking down Circles of Support tent, set up and manage circle fans and offer instruction to participants on what they represent and how to use during the Program.  

Roam the site with baskets of Circle of Support circle fans, passing out to all participants and explaining what they are and how to use during the Program 

Two available shifts for this volunteer opportunity: 

Circles of Support Tent Volunteer: 8am-12pm 

Circles of Support Roaming Volunteer: 8:30am - 10:30am

We're looking for volunteers to support Walk MS as First Aid volunteers. These can be anyone who has a current First Aid/CPR certification within the past two years, and they provide first aid to participants for minor injuries as needed.

First Aid volunteers may be asked to assist with other volunteer areas during the event as needed.

A dedicated photographer to capture photos of Walk MS participants, volunteers, and staff in action is necessary to document the day. If you'd like to share your photography talents with us on event day, please sign up for this shift!

Professional photography equipment is not required, but volunteers are expected to share their content with the National MS Society after the event.

Route marking volunteers arrive early to mark the route with directional arrows, usually on a bicycle or with two people in a car. Routes are marked at all intersections and at all turns. Some walks offer two routes and arrows will be different colors. Volunteers should be familiar with the area and able to follow written directions and route map. Route marking volunteers will then remove the arrows at the end of the walk, unless otherwise noted. 

First impressions are important! Greet walkers and welcome participants as they arrive, answer basic questions about the walk site and event (materials will be provided), and help direct walker-traffic to appropriate areas (registration area, team tents, rest rooms, etc.).

*This position may also be asked to assist with other responsibilities such as set up and spirit team*

Walkers love to hear motivation and encouragement from the crowd as they walk to help us end MS! Support the cause by joining the Spirit Team - cheer on participants as they start and finish using noisemakers, pom poms, and more!

This opportunity is great for youth cheerleaders, athletic teams, or other team groups! Spirit Team volunteers may be asked to support other volunteer areas during their shift.

Help us keep Walk MS participants hydrated! Responsibilities include setting up and taking down the water station site, cheering on walkers, serving snacks and water, and picking up trash and repacking supplies once all walkers have passed. Occasional lifting may be required. Excellent opportunity for small groups.

These volunteers come in fresh near the end of the event to help the tired staff team clean up the event site. Responsibilities include picking up trash, taking down decorations, signage and banners, breaking down tents, tables, and chairs, organizing and loading supplies, and anything else needed to ensure the walk site is cleaned and cleared. Heavy lifting up to 50lbs may be necessary, but non-heavy lifting tasks are also available.

Route Unmarking Assistant: Unmarking event route with signage to indicate the direction participants should follow. Often this task is completed in collaboration with a staff, committee member, or another volunteer utilizing a vehicle or golf cart.