Awards And Recognitions

What started in Bill's garage in late 1999 has become a resource second to none in the entire country. It is the only 100% volunteer Multiple Sclerosis non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation providing the recycling of durable medical equipment (DME) & mobility equipment (ME) not just to people with MS but to others who are physically challenged, living on low income and who have been denied these items from Medicare, Medicaid, DSHS, private insurance companies and other social services agencies,  and also provides financial assistance grants to people with MS who reside in the State of Washington.

The following is an outline of events that have taken place since Bill was forced

to retire from owning his own business in 1998. Bill was officially diagnosed

with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 1987 after having the symptoms since about 1952 and the symptoms were starting to take their toll.

Upon being discharged from the US Navy with a Honorable Medical Discharge in March 1954, Bill's professional career spanned over 44 years in the field of Records Management, mostly in Reprographics and Micrographics where Bill was a pioneer in the field and was a part time community college teacher and consultant to the Archives Department of the State of Washington. 

After enjoying a successful business career, he decided it was time to give back; "It was Payback Time."

William L. “Bill” Brayer:

75 Years old (03/07/08)

Retired in 1998 (owned his own business for 11 years, 1987 to 1998)

Married 29 years (05/05/08)

5 children, 10 grandchildren

Has had MS symptoms for 56+ years, officially diagnosed in 1987

Has been a Support Group co-facilitator or facilitator for 20+ years

Bill:

Founded Multiple Sclerosis Community Services (MSCS) in 1997

Founded the original Donor Closet in 1998

Founded MS Helping Hands-MSHH in 1999 (a non-profit 501 (c) (3) Corporation)

            (Has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors & President since its founding)

Reorganized the Donor Closet to be a function of MSHH (Over 56,000 DME/ME & other items

have been recycled)

Founded the Official MSHH Financial Assistance Fund in 2006 (Actually began awarding grants

in 2000) (over $110,000 total to date with over $50,000 in 2007 alone)

Started a recycling campaign collecting used stuffed animals that were distributed to the children who

survived hurricanes Katrina, Rita and the tornados that devastated Florida.  Over 45,000 recycled stuffed animals, plus many new ones, were shipped to the various devastated areas.  More are currently being collected that were used for Christmas presents and will be used by various churches and charities for Easter baskets. The beneficiaries will be foster children, orphanages, and children of incarcerated parents. The latest estimated count collected over all so far exceeds 75,000.

Averages about 55 to 60 hours a week on various MS projects,

Writes and publishes a monthly SG newsletter: “The MSHelp Informer” ,

Writes articles on “Living with MS is Not an Option; It is a way of Life” for local newspapers,

Maintains the MSHH Corporation website: www.mshelp.org,

Provides counseling to individuals & families with MS in areas he is familiar with,

Conducts MSHH workshops and seminars on MS (Has done several speaking engagements),

Produced 5 musical benefits for MSHH,

Started a MSHH Donor Closet Scoter Drill Team that participates in the City of Edmonds 4^th of

July Parades. The drill team was awarded 3 trophies in 5 of the parades participated in,

Has had the MSHH Corporation participate (have a booth) in the annual “Taste of Edmonds” event

that gives exposure for MSHH for people with MS,

Bill works mostly to provide financial assistance in various ways to people with MS, not

for special interest groups –  medical research or the development of drugs. He believes

we should “Stop the Bleeding, then treat the Wound”

MS Awards & Recognition:

Has been written about many times and interviewed on radio and TV several times

being recognized for his Multiple Sclerosis activities and achievements,

            Was Twice recognized as the “NMSS Support Group Facilitator of the Year”,

            1997 – Was presented an “NMSS Certificate of Volunteer Appreciation”,

            1998 – Was an “NMSS MS Walk Honoree”,

            1999 – Was presented the 1999 “NMSS Achievement Award”,

2003 – Was one of 5 people in the State of Washington nominated for the “2003 National

                        Jefferson Award.” The Jefferson Awards are a prestigious

                        national recognition system honoring community and public service in America.

                        The Jefferson Awards are presented on two levels: national and local,

            2006 – Was on the “MSF Top Twenty People with MS for National Recognition List”,

            2007 – Was presented the MSF “Outreach Leadership Award for 2007”,

2007 – Was presented a Congressional “Certificate of Special Recognition” from

                        Congressman Jay Inslee in recognition of outstanding and invaluable service to

                        the community,  

            2008 – Was nominated for the “The 15th Annual Edmonds Citizen of the Year”,

                        (Was 1 of 4 finalists and was the runner up)

            2008 – Was nominated for a Snohomish County Red Cross Humanitarian Award

            (Will receive the award on Thursday, May 8, 2008).   

2008 – Nominated for the “MSF National Super MS Hero Award”, (Pending)

2008 – Nominated again for the Jefferson Award, (Pending)