Dan recalls, “A lady on a bike did not hear the equipment we were using sneaking up on her. When she finally did notice, she ended up saying hello to a telephone pole! She also ended up looking like one of those garden ornaments of the person bent over picking weeds over the handlebars of her bike. And just to clarify- no humans or animals were hurt in the incident. It was just a case of a bruised ego!”

Volunteering for 3 ˝ years with the MS society, and 2 years with the Red Deer Chamber of Commerce has helped Dan connect with people and to become more involved in the business community. It has also fulfilled a personal passion to help people living with MS, which includes one of his sisters. He has been able to give back to the community and use his experience and connections to drive progress.

Exercising his creative side by sitting on the MS Society’s Events Committee and assisting in behind- the-scenes work of major fundraising events are some of Dan’s favourite activities and he has learned a high appreciation for all those who give their time and efforts without though of reward. This appreciation includes the entertainers and celebrities who offer their talents without regard in the same manner.

Although Dan didn’t have a mentor that was the driving force behind his volunteer involvement, he knew there was more that he could do as an individual to give back to the community. He has mentored family members and friends to get involved with the MS Society events and now most members of his family are regular volunteers.

“One of the best ways that I can help is to constantly and consistently be open to new opportunities to raise money and awareness. I have started and completed many third party fundraisers with all the proceeds donated to MS.”