Canada

“This was the second year that my husband and I hosted an MS Global Dinner Party. We invited 30 of our closet friends and family to enjoy an evening of cocktails and finger food as they helped us raise funds for a future without MS. We provided the drinks and a local business, Sunterra Market, donated the serving staff and a portion of the delicious food that was provided by their catering service. We raised nearly CA$2000.00 while nibbling away on smoked salmon, salad rolls and samosas! We cannot wait to do it again next year.”
Jessica and Jeff Williams, Calgary

“We hosted a very successful Global Dinner Party. We invited 4 couples and created a menu with a global theme. The table was decorated with the national flags that represented the nationality of our guests and the origin of the dishes. Place cards were decorated with world globes. Lots of wine, great conversation and laughter made for a terrific evening and everyone agreed this was a great way to raise money for a very worthy cause! Will definitely being doing this again.”
Dave and Marilyn Cybulski, Maitland

“Next year we are planning something bigger and better. With any luck, we won’t need to. Here’s to finding a cure…”
Lynette Austin, Milton

"This was our group’s first experience in organizing a fund raising event for the MS Society of Canada. Following my brother, Eric’s diagnosis in January 2005, I began searching the Internet for information about the disease, and that’s when I discovered the MS Global Dinner Party. The concept appealed to me, for I saw it as an opportunity to do something practical in support of my brother as he faced this new challenge. As I discussed the event with my spouse, she came up with the excellent idea of making it into an outdoors activity for families. The guests were invited to skate, cross-country ski, toboggan or go for a walk in the woods. We chose to serve spaghetti for the supper in order to keep the preparation simple. I proceeded to produce the invitation, which was handed out personally, as well as sent by e-mail. In total, forty-two guests joined us for supper and contributed an impressive $1,040. We are already looking ahead to next year to put on an even better MS Global Dinner Party."



“We are pleased with the success of our third annual MS Global Dinner Party. Tickets were gone fast as people were really pleased with last year’s event and enjoy the concept of being part of a global event. Already we have people asking about next year’s Global Dinner Party.”
Jacinthe Brochu & Cesar Gomes, Prince George

Germany

Germany’s first MS Global Dinner Party 2005 saw over 100 registered hosts, hundreds of enthusiastic guests, a positive echo in the media, and prospects for an even greater event in the year to come. The hosts showed extraordinary imagination and creativity. No effort was spared to make the event a success, offering culinary treats, education about MS and a united front to all those affected by MS.

The German MS Society offered two top prizes for those who registered their interest and hosted a GDP event. Myriam Haaga from Oberndorf/Neckar hosted a games night.

“What a great idea to help others by organising smaller as well as larger events.”
Myriam Haaga, Oberndorf/Neckar

Ingrid and Rolf-Peter von Drathen from Hannover ran a card tournament with the Global Dinner Party theme, had lots of fun with their friends and collected many donations.

“This charity event stands out from all the other usual charity events. The MS Global Dinner Party shows that helping people does not necessarily require huge expense and effort“.
Ingrid and Rolf-Peter von Drathen, Hannover





Notburga and Jürgen Issler invited people to a poetry, slide show and music party.

There was no entrance fee and in turn, the guests were asked to make donations to MS research.





Panama

“I think what motivated us most of all was the thought of being together in heart and soul with people all over the world with one thought, one cause, getting rid of this nasty illness, but meanwhile, supporting those in need right now.”
Sylvette Santini de Ponce

Switzerland

In 2005 the number of Global Dinner Party hosts was larger than last year! And their inspiration knew no bounds: they sent out invitations to breakfast buffets, to pizza parties and to spaghetti feasts. One young person with MS, who took part in last year’s events, even had to carry out her Global Dinner Party twice because the crowd was so large.

Also the Swiss MS-Society responded to the appeal. Vera Rentsch, the director, acting as hostess at the MS Centre in Zürich, received a selected circle of guests. A word of greeting by video from Sarah Phillips, President of the MSIF, a short presentation on the new developments in the field of research by Professor Ludwig Kappos, and a humorous performance by the female duo “Edeldicht” informed and entertained the guests during the aperitif-buffet.