I was a competitive swimmer for much of my young life and recently got back into the pool. This project combines lap swimming (which I’m already doing) with fundraising for the Multiple Sclerosis Association.

Here’s how it works:

You plan your workout goal–it can be an individual or team campaign–and sign up at support.msassociation.org.

Then, you complete the goal on your own time while fundraising for the MS Association. Goals can be a per-lap or per-mile or whatever you choose.

Et voila! You’re building muscle and burning calories in the pool and raising money for the research of a disease that affects 400,000 people in the United States.

Questions? Contact Peter Damiri, senior director of programs at the MS Association, at (800) 532-7667 ext. 109 or pdamiri@msassociation.org.

Photo courtesy of the MS Association

Hospice volunteers are needed throughout Erie and Crawford counties. Volunteers work to enhance the quality of life of patients and their loved ones.

Lakeland Area Hospice at 2221A Peninsula Drive in Erie will be conducting training classes for hospice volunteers beginning on Jan. 24.

Classes run from 7 to 9 p.m. Day classes are also available.

For more information, contact the Lakeland Area Hospice Office at (814) 838-0511.