Local Top Food & Drug stores are encouraging the public to join them in supporting Walk MS, the largest annual fundraiser of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Top Food & Drug and Haggen Food & Pharmacy stores – with two Auburn locations – are presenting sponsors of Walk MS, which will be conducted by the MS Society’s Greater Northwest Chapter on April 2-3 at eight sites throughout Washington. MS Society supporters may choose to walk three or four miles at the site closest to them and seek donation pledges. They can participate as individuals, join a team or start a team. The public also can support walkers by making donations in their name at www.WalkMSnorthwest.org.

Top Food and Haggen stores are again matching a portion of the donations raised by employees who are participating in Walk MS. Stores, employees and customers already have raised nearly $67,000 this year through $1 sales of MS “feet,” fundraising events at stores and sales of T-shirts and reusable bags. TOP Food and Haggen stores have raised nearly $400,000 since 2004 for the MS Society’s Greater Northwest Chapter.

The chapter serves 12,000 people living with MS in Western and Central Washington, Montana and Alaska. Walk MS donations also fund research to find a cause and cure for the disease.

More than a fundraiser, Walk MS is a celebration of hope and moving forward. Participants will enjoy breakfast and lunch, live music along the walk, face painting, entertainment for children, awards and much more.

Walk MS events are scheduled at the following locations (registration at 8:30 a.m., program at 9 a.m. and walk at 9:30 a.m. for each location):

Saturday, April 2, Bainbridge High School, Bainbridge Island (three miles).

Saturday, April 2, Barkley Village, Bellingham (three miles).

Saturday, April 2, Columbia Park, Kennewick (four miles).

Saturday, April 2, Horizons Elementary School, Lacey (four miles).

Saturday, April 2, Fort Steilacoom Park, Lakewood (three miles).

Saturday, April 2, Klahowya Secondary School, Silverdale (three miles).

Saturday, April 2, Tulalip Amphitheatre, Tulalip (three miles).

Sunday, April 3, Husky Stadium, Seattle (four miles).