Eric Laster of Edifice Named Joe Martin Champion of Spirit Honoree for Muscle Team 2012

We are thrilled to annouce that Eric Laster, President and CEO of Edifice, Inc has been named the 2012 Joe Martin Champion of Spirit Honoree for Muscle Team®.

We are excited to honor Eric at the event this year for his many contributions to the community. Eric has also served on the board for Habitat for Humanity, the Bank of Commerce, and the Community School of the Arts. He has served on the advisory board for the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce as well as The William States Lee College of Engineering board. He previously held a council position at Christ Lutheran Church, where he has been a long time member.

Under Eric's leadership, Edifice was recently recognized for their local extensive leadership in the Charlotte area, earning an award for local philanthropic small business of the year.

Edifice is a Charlotte-based construction company with divisions that concentrate on a variety of market segments, including retail, entertainment, office, industrial, civic, faith-based, educational, federal, and special projects.

On behalf of the Charlotte team and Muscle Team® 2012 Coaches and Committee, congratulations Eric!

Bryson Foster Named MDA's 2012 National Goodwill Ambassador

Photo courtesy of MDA

The Charlotte MDA team is beaming with pride this week as we are finally able to announce that our very own Bryson Foster has been named MDA's 2012 National Goodwill Ambassador! Bryson is one special kid and we are proud to see him move into such an important role as the national spokesperson for MDA. Although we will miss him as he and his family are traveling the country, we couldn't be happier for them as they embark on such an incredible journey! We can't think of anyone better to share the message of MDA. 

Congratulations Bryson, Phil & Claire! 

For all the details, please visit one of the news stories below: 

New 2012 National Goodwill Ambassador for MDA (WCTV)

Concord’s Bryson Foster named MDA 2012 National Goodwill Ambassador (WSOC TV)

Concord boy to be national muscular dystrophy ambassador (Sailsbury Post)

Muscle Walk Benefit Night at Jason's Deli

Happy 2012! It has been a busy few weeks here at MDA to kick off our year. We are gearing up for lots of fun events, including Muscle Walk! Our friends at Jason's Deli are hosting a Benefit Night for our MDA Muscle Walk on Thursday, February 9th from 4-10PM. Come join us at Jason's Deli at 1600 E. Woodlawn Road, Charlotte, NC 28209. Don't forget to mention MDA and Jason's Deli will donate 10% of that evening's dine-in sales.

If you haven't already formed your Muscle Walk team, you can sign up that night. If your team is already set up, bring another family that might be interested in learning more about the walk and we can get them signed up! Don't miss out on this fun night! See you on February 9th!

Fill the Boot Competition Heats Up!

After Idlewild's successful Fill the Boot drive, we have all been anxiously awaiting the results of the competition between Matthews, Mint Hill and Idlewild! And the results are in!

Idlewild's $3,220 boot drive put them in 3rd place for the competition. They exceeded their goal and last year's total! Congratulations Idlewild!

On November 5, about three miles separated Matthews and Mint Hill as they filled their boots for MDA! Mint Hill surpassed their total from last year and raised $3800, putting them in 2nd place in the competition. It was a great day in the streets in Mint Hill!

Just down the road, the Matthews Fire Department had a great day and collected $6,551.84! That means that Matthews is our winner once again this year! Congratulations to all Matthews Firefighters for a job well done!

One of our favorite MDA families lives in Matthews and spent the entire day helping to collect money! Thanks to Noah, Natalie, Stacy & David Sentivan for supporting the department!

Thanks to everyone from the Idlewild Fire Department, Mint Hill Fire Department and Matthews Fire Department for making 2011 another successful year through your Fill the Boot drives! The three departments combined raised more than $13,571 for MDA!

Idlewild Firefighters Fill the Boot

On Saturday, firefighters from the Idlewild Volunteer Fire Department took to the streets to Fill the Boot for MDA! They raised $3,220 in this year's drive, topping their total from last year. Idlewild is the first department to complete their drive in the 2011 competition between Matthews, Mint Hill and Idlewild, and we'd say they are off to a great start!

Who do you think will win this year's competition? If you haven't joined in to help these departments out yet, you can support Matthews and Mint Hill this Saturday, November 5! Drive through the intersection of Highway 51 and Lawyers Road to donate to Mint Hill's boot drive and the intersection of John St. and Trade St. in downtown to support Matthews! Or, park nearby and say hello!

Don't forget to snap a picture with your favorite firefighter and send to us at kdove@mdausa.org.

Firefighters in competition!

It’s time to FILL THE BOOT FOR MDA!

The Matthews Fire Department, Mint Hill Fire Department and Idlewild Fire Department are in competition to raise money for MDA! We would love to have your help to support them and cheer them on in the competition. If you can take a few minutes on either of the below dates to stop by the boot drive locations to thank the firefighters and say hello, that would really help motivate them to raise lots of money!

Saturday, October 29, 9am-1pm

Idlewild Fire Department Fill the Boot

Intersection of Hwy. 51 and Idlewild Rd.

Saturday, November 5, 9am – 12pm

Mint Hill Fire Department

Intersection of Hwy. 51 and Lawyers Rd. in Mint Hill

Saturday, November 5, 10am – 1pm

Matthews Fire Department

Intersection of Trade Street and Johns Street in Matthews

*Please take caution when visiting Fill the Boot locations and do not enter the street or intersection. Please park in a parking lot near the intersection.

For information on these or any other Fill the Boot drives, please contact us at 704-567-2912.

Muscle Walk

Our team is so excited to announce that our 2012 Muscle Walk will be held on Sunday, March 18! We will be back at the Charlotte Motor Speedway again this year for another exciting walk day. If you are new to Muscle Walk, we would like to invite you to be a part of this exciting event in 2012! You can form a team with family, friends, or co-workers to raise money for MDA and walk around the track on the day of Muscle Walk! It is a great time for the MDA family to get together in a really cool place to raise lots of money for MDA! Take a look at some shots from last year's walk:

For those of you who took your first Muscle Walk lap around the track with us in 2011, the time has come to sign up your team!

Or, if your company would like to receive more information on how to get involved or become a Muscle Walk Corporate Sponsor, please call our office at 704-567-2912.

Registration is now open for all teams! Click here to sign up! Will you be the next to flex?