10 in 10: ziMS Foundation has raised more than $1 million for MS research

From the time they arrived from Montreal before the 2005 season, the Nationals have been a mainstay in the Washington, D.C., sports scene. But the Nats are also very active in the community, working diligently over the past decade to touch the lives of many in the region and proving that baseball has a further reach than wins and losses, balls and strikes, batters and pitchers. Each Thursday through mid-August, MASNsports.com's Byron Kerr will explore the Nationals' community outreach efforts, showing how far their reach has extended and how deeply committed to Washington, D.C., and the surrounding area the Nationals are.

One of the most well-known player charities the Nationals are involved in is the ziMS Foundation, established by Ryan Zimmerman for cause close to his heart.

In 1995, the Nationals first baseman's mother, Cheryl, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, an autoimmune disorder that attacks the central nervous system. In severe cases, the patient becomes paralyzed and can go blind. In milder cases, there may be numbness in the limbs and loss of motor dexterity. Either way, there is no known cure for the debilitating disease.

Ryan Zimmerman started the ziMS Foundation in 2006 to raise awareness of the disease and to generate funds to help search for a cure.

As president of the ziMS Foundation, Zimmerman raised $200,000 in 2009 and 2010 to help fight the disease. That was only the beginning.

The major fundraiser for the season is the foundation's annual gala, which took place this season on June 22 at Nationals Park.

The "Night At The Park" was held at Nationals Park. Autographed memorabilia from professional athletes was auctioned off and the evening included an exclusive concert by country star Kip Moore.

The event again raised $200,000 and was attended by Nationals players Bryce Harper, Max Scherzer, Jordan Zimmermann, Ian Desmond, Drew Storen, Anthony Rendon, Gio Gonzalez, Danny Espinosa and others.

To conclude the evening, the ziMS Foundation presented a check for $115,000 to the National MS Society.

Another fundraiser each year for the ziMS Foundation is a gala and golf tournament, also hosted by Zimmerman. Last year, the event took place at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront Hilton in early November. The golf tournament was the next day at the Red Wing Lake Golf Course in Virginia Beach.

Since 2006, the ziMS Foundation has raised well over $1.5 million to aid in MS chapters and research centers across the United States.

For more information on how you can donate, click here.