YouthDrivingChange

Turning momentum into milestones in the fight against MS

View the Project on GitHub YouthDrivingChange/ydc.org

Upcoming Events

Stay tuned for details regarding our upcoming campaign rides, team schedules, and logistics. Whether you are riding hard with us on the pavement, tackling the gravel trails, or cheering us on from the sidelines, your support builds our momentum.

Official Team Schedule

SEPTEMBER 19 - 20, 2026

Bike MS: Historic New Bern Ride

Our primary campaign event of the year. Featuring scenic coastal architecture and a deep-woods gravel trail experience through Croatan National Forest. All routes kick off from Union Point Park.

Email ydcms@pm.me for an itinerary and more details.
Click to View Full Event Details, Schedule & Information

Event Schedule

Friday, September 18, 2026

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Optional Educational Seminar (5 North Carolina Insurance Continuing Education credits pending approval)
Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Atlantic Beach Oceanfront, 2717 West Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, North Carolina

Featured Speakers:

  • Dr. Gleb Tsipursky – The Psychology of AI Adoption at Work
  • Dr. Brenda Wells – Emerging Trends in Insurance

Seminar participants will receive a signed copy of Dr. Tsipursky's newly published book, The Psychology of AI Adoption at Work.

6:00 p.m. – Welcome Reception
Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Atlantic Beach Oceanfront, 2717 West Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, North Carolina

Saturday, September 19, 2026

Your Choice:

  • Bike MS: Historic New Bern Ride featuring 30, 50, 75, and 100 mile routes
  • Fishing
  • Paint-Along Workshop: Instructor-led session where you create your own keepsake masterpiece
  • Coastal tours
  • Relaxing day at the beach

6:00 p.m. – Group Dinner at The Dunes Club
Location: 710 E. Fort Macon Rd, Atlantic Beach, NC
Hosted by Guy Carpenter | Entertainment by DJ David Franks of the Band of Oz

Sunday, September 20, 2026

Return home or enjoy a second day riding in the Bike MS event.

Accommodations

A block of rooms have been reserved at the DoubleTree by Hilton Atlantic Beach Oceanfront, 2717 West Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, North Carolina. Please contact Annette Alford or me if you would like us to reserve a room in our room block for you.

Bike Registration

If you would like to participate in Bike MS: Historic New Bern Ride 2026, simply let me know, and we will register you. Bicycles will be provided for guests traveling from out of town.

Educational Seminar Speakers

Dr. Gleb Tsipursky is Chief Executive Officer of Disaster Avoidance Experts and a nationally recognized authority on leadership, artificial intelligence, and the future of work. Called the 'Office Whisperer' by The New York Times, he is the author of seven books, including his newly published The Psychology of AI Adoption at Work. His work has been featured in Harvard Business Review, Fortune, Forbes, Inc., Scientific American, and other national publications.

Dr. Brenda Wells is the Robert F. Bird Distinguished Professor of Risk Management and Insurance and Chair of the Department of Finance and Insurance at East Carolina University. A nationally respected educator, consultant, and speaker, she has spent nearly four decades teaching risk management and insurance while advising organizations throughout the industry on emerging risks, insurance operations, and market trends.

Organizations Represented Last Year

Last year's participants represented organizations including Bain & Company, Builders Mutual, Burns & Wilcox, Campbell University, Century 21 Real Estate, Creative Adjusting, Disaster Avoidance Experts, East Carolina University, Elder Research, Experience Design International, Guy Carpenter, Hannover Re, Joyce and Associates, Morgan Stanley, Munich Re, NCJUA and NCIUA, North Carolina Gold Buyers, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, Nowpreneur, Pinnacle Bank, PIPSO, PNC Bank, ProNavigator, Sanderson High School, Solvrays, UNC Charlotte, the University of New Hampshire, ValueCore, and Verisk (ISO).

Travel Information

Most attendees drive from within North Carolina. Guests flying to the event may choose from Coastal Carolina Regional Airport in New Bern, approximately 45 minutes from the hotel; Wilmington International Airport, approximately 2 hours away; or Raleigh-Durham International Airport, approximately 3.5 hours away, with a wide selection of nonstop flights. We recommend arriving on Thursday if you plan to attend the educational seminar or on Friday if you will participate only in the weekend activities. Departures are recommended on Sunday or Monday. If your schedule allows, you are also welcome to visit our Raleigh office before or after the weekend.

Please RSVP by August 20

If you would like to attend, simply let me know by August 20. We will be happy to coordinate your event registration and hotel accommodations.

Contact Information

Robert Schwitzgebel
wrhardy@pm.me

Annette Alford
Annette.Alford@ncjua.com

How You Can Help

Whether you join us in New Bern or support the effort from afar, I hope you will consider supporting the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Every contribution helps fund research, advocacy, and programs that improve the lives of people affected by multiple sclerosis.

Personal Donations

Donate online: Donate to Youth Driving Change Team

Donate by Check:
Checks should be made payable to the National MS Society with 'Youth Driving Change' on the memo line and mailed to:

North Carolina Joint Underwriting Association
Attn: Annette Alford
751 Corporate Center Drive, Suite 200
Raleigh, NC 27607

Corporate Sponsorship Opportunities

Organizations and individuals interested in providing additional support may also participate through one of the following sponsorship levels. Corporate sponsorships help advance the team's fundraising efforts in support of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and demonstrate a shared commitment to improving the lives of people affected by multiple sclerosis.

  • Legacy Sponsor — $10,000 and above
  • Leadership Sponsor — $5,000 to $9,999
  • Impact Sponsor — $2,500 to $4,999
  • Partner Sponsor — $1,000 to $2,499
  • Friend of the Cause — Up to $999

If you are interested in becoming a corporate sponsor or would like to contribute by ACH or wire transfer, please contact Annette Alford or me. We would be happy to discuss sponsorship opportunities and ensure your contribution is properly credited and acknowledged.

Thank you for your friendship and support. I hope you will join us for a memorable weekend of learning, fellowship, recreation, and service. Together, we can help advance the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's mission and make a meaningful difference in the lives of people affected by multiple sclerosis.

NOVEMBER 26, 2026 (THANKSGIVING MORNING)

Raleigh Turkey Trot

Kick off your Thanksgiving morning with the Triangle's favorite holiday tradition. Join us out at Ridgewood Shopping Center to run, walk, and raise critical funds to strike out multiple sclerosis.

Email ydcms@pm.me for an itinerary and more details.