Kids grow-up fast. For parents of kids with physical disabilities, however, a child’s growth-spurt can mean replacing costly equipment needed for their mobility and independence. Carter Keith is nearly 6-years-old, and has already outgrown three wheelchairs. Easter Seals Ontario was there to help by providing financial assistance for the essential, but costly, mobility equipment that Carter needed but that the family was finding difficult to afford.

On Sunday, March 14th, from 12:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., the annual Easter Seals Telethon appeals for public support to help kids with physical disabilities and their families. Airing on CBC and affiliate broadcasters the 27th annual Easter Seals Telethon recognizes generous supporters, and asks viewers to help make a difference in the lives of Easter Seals kids.

“Canon Canada has been committed to supporting Easter Seals kids for many years and we are delighted to be involved. This is the perfect opportunity for Canon to give back to our community, while raising much needed funds for Easter Seals children and their families,” says Colleen Ryan, Director of Corporate Communication and General & Environmental Affairs of Canon Canada.

Easter Seals Ontario assists families of kids with physical disabilities with the purchase of costly mobility equipment and communication devices. By providing financial assistance, Easter Seals performs an essential service to families who might not otherwise have the resources to obtain this equipment. Easter Seals also owns and operates two fully accessible camp properties and is recognized as an industry leader in providing specialized recreation programs for kids with physical disabilities at Easter Seals camps.

“All year-round, but especially during the annual Easter Seals Telethon, we wish to thank supporters and tell people about the importance of their donations in helping children with physical disabilities live safely in their own homes with dignity, and a greater level of independence,” says Carol Lloyd, President and CEO, Easter Seals Ontario.

The 2010 Easter Seals Telethon will be a touching and inspirational show featuring Easter Seals kids and special live performances by Gemini nominated singer/songwriter Justin Hines, beloved children’s storyteller and author Robert Munsch and the beautiful melodies of the music duo, Dala.

The success in generating public awareness and support for the Easter Seals Telethon has hinged on the continuing commitment of the celebrity hosts including: Roger Abbott, Don Ferguson and Jessica Holmes from the long-running CBC comedy series, Royal Canadian Air Farce; as well as, Erin Davis, Barb DiGiulio, Tom Harrington and Ann Rohmer.

The annual Easter Seals Telethon is a major part of Easter Seals’ fundraising campaign March is Easter Seals Month. During March is Easter Seals Month, there are many ways to help kids with physical disabilities. Participating retailers across Ontario will be offering Paper Eggs in support of Easter Seals kids for $2 from March 12th to April 4th. For more information or to donate online visit www.easterseals.org.

TORONTO, ON (March 8, 2010) - Easter Seals^TM launches its milestone 10th annual Paper Egg Campaign, running March 8th to April 4th. Shoppers at participating retailers are encouraged to purchase a colourful paper egg to be posted on store walls in support of Easter Seals programs and services.

Despite the struggling economy Canadians dug deep in their pockets and contributed more than $838,000 in 2009, the highest total raised to date during the Easter Seals Paper Egg campaign.

“This year we have more retail sponsors than ever before,” says Cheryl McNamara, Development and Communications Manager for Easter Seals Canada. “Between our enthusiastic retail partners and their customers, it is highly likely that 2010 will be another milestone year for the Paper Egg campaign.”

Some of the new retail sponsors include Money Mart, which joins the campaign as National Sponsor after raising $69,000 in Ontario in 2009, and London Drugs, which recently announced its participation in all stores where it operates in Western Canada.

Easter Seals is pleased to welcome back Top National Sponsor, The Bargain! Shop (TB!S), whose stores, customers and partners raised more than $221,000 in 2009, once again almost doubling sales from the previous year. In total, TB!S has raised over $445,000 nationally for the campaign since 2007.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be part of this vital campaign to help the Easter Seals kids,” says Michael Roellinghoff, President and CEO, The Bargain! Shop. “It’s the fourth consecutive year we’ve been a part of this fabulous event and this year, with the enthusiastic support of our associates, customers and partners we expect another record result!”

The Bargain! Shop hosts launches on March 8th in Edmonton, Regina, Port Credit, Kitchener, Perth, and Petrolia. The Woodstock, New Brunswick TB!S store, the 2009 top Paper Egg fundraiser ($6,275), will host festivities on March 10th; and, Winnipeg Blue Bomber Obby Khan will visit the TB!S, 1674 Main Street store in Winnipeg on March 27 to sign autographs and serve up a free barbecue. For details, click here.

Easter Seals is pleased to announce that Lawtons Drugs, Price Chopper Atlantic and Sobeys Ontario will once again join the campaign. All three sponsors also broke campaign records in 2009 and have vowed to make 2010 another record-breaking year. For a full list of participating retailers, visit www.paperegg.ca.

Easter Seals has assisted Canadians with disabilities for more than 85 years, providing them with the tools they need to strive for independence, acceptance and achievement. Every year, more than 100,000 Canadians and their families access Easter Seals programs and services, the most recognized being Easter Seals camps. For more information, visit www.easterseals.ca.

For More Information contact:
Cheryl McNamara, Development & Communications Manager, Easter Seals Canada
Phone: (416) 932 8382 ext 245 Email: CMcNamara@easterseals.ca

Laura Secord Gives Back!

From February 22 to March 5, 2010 a portion of the proceeds of all Laura Secord Easter Cream Eggs will go towards Easter Seals. All funds raised in English Canada will support active living programs and Easter Seals camp experiences for children with disabilities.

Visit your local Laura Secord store and show your support for Easter Seals kids!

Currently with over 130 company-owned stores across the country, Laura Secord is Canada’s largest and best known chocolatier, selling premium chocolates, ice cream and other types of candies. With more than 400 products, Laura Secord still follows the time-honoured recipes and dedication to quality and excellent customer service as when the company first started. Every product carries an unconditional guarantee for quality. Laura Secord is dedicated to helping the community. They make many product donations every year to registered charities helping children and youth.

Visit: www.laurasecord.ca

Fifty-nine years ago, one magical night turned into a time-honoured tradition that’s now known as the Rogers Conn Smythe Sports Celebrities Dinner & Auction in support of Easter Seals Ontario. And, last night’s celebrity dinner and auction proved that the magic is not gone. The event raised $325,000.00 for Ontario’s children and youth with physical disabilities.

On Wednesday, January 27, 2010, close to 1,000 guests attended Canada’s longest running sports celebrities’ dinner that was held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

Emcee for the evening was one of Canada’s most recognized entertainment celebrities, Mike Bullard. Some of the sports celebrity guests to grace this year’s head table included: Roberto Alomar, Theo Fleury, Catriona Le May Doan, Phil Kessel and Ron Wilson.

“We are grateful for the support of Rogers, the celebrities and everyone who takes part in this incredible evening,” says Hockey Night in Canada’s Scott Morrison, Chair of the event committee and Easter Seals’ board member.  “It’s about the kids–building brighter futures for children with physical disabilities.”

The Rogers Conn Smythe Sports Celebrities Dinner and Auction is the launch of a new year for Easter Seals’ Provincial Ambassadors, who have the job of representing Ontario’s children and youth with physical disabilities. This year’s Provincial Ambassadors, Lara Wong and Lucas Zane, were publicly introduced and welcomed for the very first time last night.

Families rely on Easter Seals to help purchase expensive equipment needed for mobility and communication, send kids to camp and other recreational programs, and provide access to information and resources. Easter Seals owns and operates two fully accessible Easter Seals camps and is recognized as an industry leader in providing specialized recreation programs for kids with physical disabilities. For more information about Easter Seals or to donate visit www.easterseals.org.

Our Stories is a quarterly ENewsletter that celebrates Easter Seals’ supporters and showcases how they are making a difference.

Our Stories, Winter 2009/10

Our Stories, Fall 2009

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The Draggins Rod & Custom Car Club

Saskatoon - For more than 40 consecutive years, the Draggins Rod & Custom Car Club has collectively supported Camp Easter Seal in Saskatchewan with contributions of over $1M. On November 13, this stalwart supporter of Easter Seals was honoured for outstanding philanthropic efforts at the 9th Annual AFP National Philanthropy Day luncheon in Saskatoon.The Draggins’ fund raising efforts have constructed a new aquatic centre, recreation centre, medical cabin, and four cedar cabins at Camp Easter Seal. The financial commitment from the Draggins enables Camp Easter Seal to meet the complex and unique needs of the campers.

“The Draggins support of Camp Easter Seal stands out as a shining example of what is possible when a group of committed individuals come together to make their community a better place. We are honoured to have the Draggins as one of our key partners,” states Joyce Phillips, Regional Director, Saskatoon Branch.

The Saskatchewan Abilities Council is a proud member of Easter Seals Canada. The financial support Easter Seals Saskatchewan receives each year allows rehabilitation and recreational programs to be offered to children with disabilities in this province.

For more on Easter Seals Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Abilities Council, click here.

Michael Jama with mom, Irina Abbassova

There is nothing that 12 year-old Michael Jama enjoys more than hockey. Michael has Cerebral Palsy and must use a wheelchair, but nothing lights up his face or gets him more excited than a Leafs game. Michael’s love for Toronto’s hockey team is unconditional and he responds empathically to any criticism of the Leafs: “But, it’s our team!”Michael’s mom, Irina Abbassova, is a single mother who emigrated from Russia over six years ago. She came to Canada with Michael, her only child. They live in Toronto’s west end.

Easter Seals Ontario funded a manual wheelchair for Michael when he was eight years-old. Now that he is almost a teenager, he has outgrown his old wheelchair and needs a new one.

“Easter Seals is wonderful for our kids. Our kids need more and I cannot manage it alone. I could never afford it,” said Irina, referring to everything that is needed to raise a child with a physical disability.

“The cost to raise a child with a physical disability is staggering. When you take into account the costs of a wheelchair, ramps, a bath lift and other essential items, it can cost these families between $10,000 to $40,000 a year, and they just can’t do it on their own,” said Tina Shier, Director, Provincial Services, Easter Seals Ontario. “In addition, a number of families who come forward for assistance are single parents caring for their child with a disability and their siblings.”

Parents, such as Irina, turn to Easter Seals for assistance for mobility equipment and communication devices, as well as for opportunities for their child to attend Easter Seals camp, which is often their only opportunity to experience a stay away from home.

Last summer Michael Jama spent time away from his mother for the first time. He had the chance to experience a 10-day fully accessible summer camp program at Easter Seals Camp Woodeden near London, Ontario.

When Irina went to pick up Michael after his 10-day stay at Camp Woodeden, she remembers: “All the counsellors were there and singing a good-bye song to Michael. He was so happy. I was crying. We would never have the chance for something nice like this back in Russia.”

Donations help kids like Michael access the programs and services they need to achieve a greater level of independence.

For more on Easter Seals Ontario, click here.

Tyler Preece, Friends of We Care Ambassador, and Kevin Collins, Executive Director of Friends of We Care accept cheque for $120,000

Close to 300 people from the Foodservice and Hospitality industry, comprising 45 teams, raised $120,000 at the 12th Annual We Care Bowling Challenge held on November 26 at the Planet Bowl in Etobicoke. The amount raised will send 60 kids with special needs to a fully accessible Easter Seals summer camp.The annual bowling challenge is one of many fundraising events by Friends of We Care, which raises funds for Easter Seals camp programs through Canada’s Foodservice and Hospitality industry. Annually, Friends of We Care raises more than $1M.

“The incredible efforts of Friends of We Care, and the Foodservice and Hospitality industry, touch so many lives,” says Max Beck, CEO of Easter Seals Canada. “Because of them, more children with disabilities get to experience Easter Seals’ transformational camp programs, where they can test themselves, try new experiences and meet new friends.”

Congratulations goes out to the teams from Cardinal Meat Specialists which generated more than $26,750 to capture the top fund raising team trophy, Sysco Canada which raised more than $26,214, Janes Family Foods for $17,445.00, Gordon Food Service for $13,397.00 and Wings Foods for $3,688.00. A special congratulation goes out to the team from Ecolab for winning the top spirit award.

Friends of We Care extends special thanks to Sysco Canada which generously donated all the prizes provided for the top fundraisers. A special thank you to the Bowling Challenge committee which worked tireless hours to make this event a big success, led by Mike Stoner of TTS Marketing and George DaCosta of Cardinal Meat Specialists, Christine Baynham of Wing’s Foods, Cathy Caruso of Janes Family Foods, Kim Hinds of Kostuch Publications, Jennifer Marshall of Magnum Food Brokers, Gerry McParlan of Procter & Gamble Professional, Maureen Quirk of Sysco Canada, Nancy Wulff of W.T. Lynch Foods and Erin Rogers of Friends of We Care.

For more on Friends of We Care, click here

Charlottetown - Easter Seals Prince Edward Island proudly announces its ambassador for the 2010 PEI Easter Seals campaign. Twelve-year-old Colton Matheson, a grade six student from Montague, will represent Easter Seals during a very busy winter and spring fundraising tour.

Colton, who has Downs Syndrome, is a talented young man with a quick sense of humor, an ever-present smile and a huge love for music. Active with the Special Olympics, Colton is also an avid golfer and local entertainer.

Colton is ecstatic to be the 2010 Easter Seals Ambassador. “My motto is ‘Feel the Joy!’ I am thrilled to be the Easter Seals Ambassador,” said Colton.

Colton’s campaign schedule includes traveling across PEI during the annual Tim Horton’s Easter Seals School Tour in April, and taking part in the Easter Beef Show and Sale.

Colton will also be a special guest on the 2010 Easter Seals Telethon, set to broadcast live from Confederation Centre of the Arts at a new and exciting new time slot - Sunday, March 28th from 2:00 P.M to 5:00 P.M. on CBC Television. Colton will share the stage with co-hosts Bruce Rainnie and Matt Rainnie and a top-notch cast of entertainers. The three-hour telethon will enable Islanders to call in pledges on a toll-free line staffed by volunteers from Aliant. The show will also be an opportunity to feature businesses and organizations that are supporting the Easter Seals Campaign through their fundraising efforts.

Colton will also attend the inaugural Charlottetown Easter Seals Drop Zone, where fundraisers dressed as Superheroes will rappel off the roof of one of the city’s tallest buildings. It is scheduled to take place in June 2010. Drop Zone, a national fundraising event, raises awareness, heart rates and fundraising dollars, all for provincial Easter Seals programs and services.

The PEI Easter Seals Society has provided financial assistance to support programs at PEI Cerebral Palsy Association, Camp Gencheff, Stars for Life for Autism PEI Rehabilitation Council, Joy Riders, CADS-PEI (disabled skiers association) and many other worthy organizations. The Society encourages businesses or organizations interested in supporting this year’s Easter Seals Campaign to contact Margaret Wilton, Campaign Coordinator, through her office at 902-651-2373 or email detailseventplanning@gmail.com.

Infrastructure Canada and the Government of Ontario award grant of $2.6 million for Camp Woodeden

December 21, 2009 - Easter Seals Ontario is pleased to announce that we have been successful in our application to Infrastructure Canada for a capital grant to build a Multi-Sport Centre at Easter Seals Camp Woodeden in London, ON.

At a ceremony in London, the Honourable John Baird, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care announced that Easter Seals Ontario has been awarded a total $2.6 million, to be paid equally by Infrastructure Canada and the Government of Ontario, for the completion of this project. An additional $1.3 million, required to complete the project, will be funded by Easter Seals Ontario.

Project details:

A new, fully accessible, 12,000 sq. ft. facility to include a full size gym, change rooms/washrooms/shower area, lobby and multi-purpose rooms, accessible indoor climbing wall, amphitheatre and sports equipment storage.

The facility will be used by children and youth with physical disabilities who attend Easter Seals camp, as well as by individuals of all ages and levels of ability from the general public, including persons with disabilities, school groups, community groups, sports leagues and corporations.

The Centre will provide for indoor programs that augment the currently available world-class outdoor activities, including the fully accessible High Ropes course, sledge hockey rink and sports surface for racket sports, basketball and adapted sports.

We expect the project to be completed by March 2011. More details will be provided as we move forward with the project in the New Year.