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

Our Stories, Summer 2011

Our Stories, Spring 2011

Our Stories, Winter 2011

Our Stories, Spring 2010

Our Stories, Winter 2009/10

Our Stories, Fall 2009

Our Stories, Summer 2009

Our Stories, Spring 2009

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In total $1.3 million was raised by Safeway employees asking their customers to give to Easter Seals, as well as Special Olympics Canada. This puts their four-year total at $4.4 million for Easter Seals.

“Safeway’s annual fundraising campaign for Easter Seals which generated $1.3 million in 2011 is nothing less than remarkable,” said Max Beck, CEO of Easter Seals Canada. “This incredible support allows Easter Seals to create independence building experiences and life changing solutions so that people with disabilities can live, learn, work and play in their own communities.”

All 214 Safeway stores across western Canada raised funds and awareness to support Easter Seals services in local communities. This year’s campaign throughout the month of April gave customers the opportunity to shop where it counts the most — knowing their dollars will change the lives of families living with disabilities.

Recognizing Safeway’s extraordinary contribution, the Association of Fundraising Professionals presented Larree Renda, Executive Vice President of Safeway and Chair of the Safeway Foundation with the award at the organization’s Awards for Philanthropy Banquet during the 48th International Conference on Fundraising in Chicago earlier this year.

The Outstanding Philanthropic Corporation Award honours a corporation that demonstrates exceptional commitment to important causes through financial support and encouragement, as well as the company’s ability to motivate others to take on leadership roles in their communities.

“Canada Safeway supports causes that reflect our diverse workforce and societal issues that are important to our customers and employees,” said Chuck Mulvenna, President and Chief Operating Officer for Canada Safeway. “We’re very pleased to partner with Easter Seals as we make a difference in the lives of youth living with disabilities.”

In Victoria, Vancouver, Kelowna, Edmonton and Toronto, teams had runners on the track at all times during a 24 hour period between early Saturday to early Sunday, spelling one another in shifts. When not on the track, participants engaged in sports tournaments and wacky activities such as Hollywood themed dress up in Edmonton.

While Edmonton braved the rain, no one’s spirits were dampened. There was non-stop activity to combat the non-stop rain during the event’s 25th anniversary. Everyone had a blast with all the indoor activities.

Toronto too celebrated an anniversary. Runners, joggers and walkers went the distance for kids with physical disabilities during its 20th anniversary. The annual ‘party with a purpose’ did not disappoint as participants enjoyed live music, a football clinic with former Toronto Argonaut, Adriano Belli, slo-pitch and volleyball tournaments, karaoke, and a performance by hypnotist, Dave Curran.

Vancouver’s event raised just over $1 million alone for Easter Seals Camps in BC, with Victoria raising $422,000, followed by Kelowna’s $171,000.

Money Mart, which peoples the tracking tent, once again got into the spirit of the event by handing out sunglasses, repeating the annual Best Decorated Camp Site contest, and adding prize money to the best team photos. Money Mart also donated $0.25 for every like of the national 24 Hour Relay Facebook page and retweets of any message that included the #es24hourrelay, @easteseals and @moneymartcanada.

“We are so excited to once again have the opportunity to support Easter Seals, and make a difference in the lives of the children with disabilities,” says Norm Miller, COO of Dollar Financial Corp. – National Money Mart. “Our support is only made possible by the generosity of our customers and the hard work of our staff, who every year go above and beyond to help make a difference for the kids.”

Toronto, ON – Easter Seals Canada congratulates Amway Canada for receiving the Direct Sellers Association’s (DSA) Making a Difference Award for its sponsorship support of the Easter Seals Drop Zone. The Award was presented to Amway at the association’s annual conference in Banff, Alberta on June 28.

The Making a Difference Award recognizes the efforts of companies that have made a profound difference in communities across Canada. Criteria for this honour include consideration of the level of involvement in the community, the effort relative to the size of the company and the company’s vision and motivation.

Amway Canada Corporation and its Independent Business Owners partner with Easter Seals Canada through its sponsorship of the Easter Seals Drop Zone events. The Drop Zone provides average Canadians the opportunity to trade their suits and briefcases for helmets and harnesses and to become superheroes for a day rappelling down skyscrapers to raise much-needed funds on behalf of Easter Seals. Drop Zone events take place yearly in the late summer and early fall in 13 cities across the country.

In the last five years alone, Amway Canada Corporation and its Independent Business Owners have raised nearly $360,000 for Easter Seals programs and services. That money – which stays in the communities in which it is raised – helps children with disabilities and special needs meet their full potential.

Angela Abdallah, fearless Drop Zone participant and Manger of Communications & Government Affairs of Amway Canada, was also recognized at the DSA conference. Ms. Abdallah is recipient of the Ivan P. Phelan Award, the industry’s highest personal recognition, presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of the direct selling industry in Canada. Ms. Abdallah is recognized for her positive actions and valuable contributions to the direct selling industry and the community.

“We are thrilled that the Direct Sellers Association has recognized Amway and Angela Abdallah for their incredible work in making a difference,” says Max Beck, CEO of Easter Seals Canada. “Since 2006, Amway has provided tremendous energy and support for the Easter Seals Drop Zone helping to make it one of the country’s most successful fundraising events.”

Amway Canada Corporation and its Independent Business Owners are currently gearing up for the seventh annual Easter Seals Drop Zone. First event starts August 13th in St. John’s, NL. For more visit www.thedropzone.ca.

“And that brings a tear to my eye because that is why you are involved in these types of charities,” said Jenkins. “What Hannah did at every turn was inspire. She put her heart and soul into the campaign. Her good nature and enthusiasm simply percolated throughout.”

The final tally is a culmination of tremendous fundraising activity throughout the winter and spring. Easter Seals PEI had to make up for the loss of the annual spring telethon on CBC-TV. Last year CBC announced that it would no longer host the telethon.

Thanks to the charm of the 2011 Easter Seals Ambassador, the charity raised a respectable $101,512 for Camp Gencheff and Joy Riders, down from 2010, but up from the $9,000 raised in 2009.

Fundraising events included the Easter Seals Paper Egg campaign, ‘Wall of Supporters’ for corporate contributors, Easter Beef Sale, Tim Hortons School Tour, Pool Tournaments, and a variety of events resulting from individual or group initiatives.

Hannah herself visited 63 schools in over six days during the Tim Hortons School Tour, which raised $35,000. Reticent to accept the position as 2010 Easter Seals Ambassador for PEI, Hannah ended up embracing her role with relish.

On July 4  Hannah delivered a heartfelt speech to Rotarians and other supporters in Charlottetown congratulating everyone for helping to make the campaign a big success. She repeated her campaign theme: “Believe in yourself and you will be amazed in what you can do.”

Easter Seals is tremendously grateful for Hannah for getting out of her comfort zone and inspiring so many to support Prince Edward Islanders with disabilities.

Money Mart now offers more ways for you to make a difference for Easter Seals! Leading up to the Money Mart Easter Seals 24 Hour Relay, Money Mart will donate 25 cents for every retweet of messages that includes all three of the following: @easterseals @moneymartcanada and #es24hourrelay.

Visit @easterseals or search for #es24hourrelay to retweet any message that includes all three tags.

Money Mart will also donate 25 cents for every ‘like’ on the Money-Mart-Easter-Seals-24-hour-Relay Facebook page. Visit facebook.com/pages/Money-Mart-Easter-Seals-24-hour-Relay and like away. Spread the word!

For participants of the Money Mart Easter Seals 24 Hour Relay, post your best Relay photos on your city’s photo album on facebook.com/pages/Money-Mart-Easter-Seals-24-hour-Relay for a chance to win $100 towards your team’s fundraising total. The photo in your city’s album with the most Facebook ‘likes’ wins the $100 prize.

From May 15 to July 10, Money Mart will encourage its customers to round up their transaction as a gift to Easter Seals. From coast to coast, Money Mart and its customers raise hundreds of thousands for Easter Seals programs and services through their in-store fundraising every year.

For more on Money Mart’s support for Easter Seals click here.

The Easter Seals Drop Zone offers Canadians the thrill of a lifetime to rappel down the side of a high rise building while making a difference for people with disabilities living in their province. Participants, called ‘superheroes’, raise a minimum of $1500 with all proceeds supporting Easter Seals’ transformational programs and services.

Thirteen cities will participate in 2011 including Victoria, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Regina, Winnipeg, London, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax and St. John’s. St. John’s will kick things off on August 13. The final event will take place in Toronto on October 4.

For more information and to register visit www.thedropzone.ca.

The highlight of the evening was a cheque presentation to Easter Seals Canada in the amount of $1,003,817. This amount represents Friends of We Care’s total fundraising in 2010 and will result in over 5,000 days at camp for those children in need.

Friends of We Care Inc. is an organization within the foodservice and hospitality industry which is dedicated to raising funds for Easter Seals Canada. Since its inception, Friends of We Care have generated over $15 million, sending over 35,000 children with physical disabilities to special summer camps across Canada.

Each year Friends of We Care dedicates a portion of the evening to honour the ongoing support of their participating companies and individuals. This year’s award recipients were as follows:

The Corporate Friend of We Care Award: This award was presented to Ecolab for their ongoing corporate commitment to Easter Seal children and their families through Friends of We Care Inc.

We Care Hall of Fame: This award was presented to Vino Mistry of Sysco Canada, recognizing his significant contributions to the growth and development of the foodservice and hospitality industry.

The Gary Wright Humanitarian Award: This award is named in honour of the founder of Friends of We Care Inc., and was presented to Edwin Sokoloff. The award is presented in recognition of Eddie’s contribution to the improvement of the community at large.

Easter Seals Canada congratulates the award winners for their ongoing contributions, and thanks Friends of We Care Inc. for their tireless support of children with disabilities.

We would also like to thank Friends of We Care ambassadors Jacob Calvert, Sydney Weaver and Tyler Preece for their participation in the gala and for helping spread the word about Easter Seals.

For more information on Friends of We Care, visit www.friendsofwecare.org

In January 2009, Tim looked to Partners in Employment to help him find a job. A vocational evaluation was the first step and it uncovered a natural speed and dexterity in tasks using his hands. Over the next several months, Tim participated in employment preparation programming.

To leverage Tim’s skills with his hands, a specific position was created for him at Boh’s Cycle and Sporting Goods. It was a six-week work experience placement assembling and repairing bicycles. As Tim learned the job and became more comfortable within the new work environment, he offered to take on more responsibilities such as building shelves and special repair projects. At the end of six-weeks, Tim earned himself a permanent part-time position at Boh’s.

Boh turned Tim’s attention to skate sharpening. Tim can sharpen 100 skates in a day with ease and proficiency. This has earned him the nickname, ‘the Saturday Guy’. Tim continues to increase his value to Boh’s company with his initiative and skill in other areas of the business.

Tim says that the resources and support of Partners in Employment were instrumental to help him focus on what he could do. He has achieved success and is a shining example of what is possible when others help us believe.

Hannah MacLellan – Easter Seals Prince Edward Island Ambassador

When Hannah MacLellan was born, doctors feared she’d have trouble walking, talking and even eating. A brain bleed caused her to have cerebral palsy, which affects brain and nervous system functions such as movement and speech.

At 11 years old, Hannah not only walks, talks and eats, she runs.

She’s achieved all this through sheer gut determination. Where she used to have a walker and wear leg braces, she now goes without thanks to nightly stretches to loosen muscles and maintain balance. While she still has trouble putting thoughts to words, she works at it every day.

She’s also an inspiring member of her school’s cross country team. Already a seasoned racer at the run in Fort Amherst, Hannah came 122 out of 150 runners during last year’s event.

“I started off last but I ran the whole way without stopping,” she says. “I was so proud of myself! I love cross-country running.”

She also loves to swim and is an active member of the para-swimming program as part of the Charlottetown Bluephins Swim Team.

“In the water I feel so free,” she says. She also, draws, paints, sketches, plays the piano, plays soccer, skies, has just picked up skating, and rides horses through Joyriders Therapeutic Riding Program.

Needless to say, this native of Pownal, PEI likes to mow down barriers.

“No road blocks in her head,’’ says Stephanie Drake, Hannah’s mother.

Now Hannah has embraced a new challenge. She was recently named the 2011 P.E.I. Easter Seals Ambassador, a job she coveted for several years. Despite her enthusiasm for her new role, she does have one reservation.

“I am a little nervous about being the Ambassador because you have to speak in front of people,” she confides. “This is not easy for me. I have never had to do this before. I am not shy but when I speak in front of people that I do not know I am nervous. But I know I can do it! I like to be challenged and I am very determined.”

Indeed her motto as Ambassador is: ‘Believe in yourself… you will be amazed at what you can do!’

Delivering an inspiring speech during the kickoff for this year’s Easter Seals campaign, Hannah has nothing to worry about.

For an inspiring video on Hannah, visit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EPdrSzEDpc&feature=player_embedded

Hannah is one of many provincial Ambassadors named this year. The following have also been named 2011 Easter Seals Ambassadors. Easter Seals organizations in BC, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick are continuing with the Ambassadors introduced in 2010. Welcome new 2011 Easter Seals Ambassadors!

Alberta

Elisa Neven-Pugh has been named as the 2011 Youth Ambassador for Southern Alberta. Elisa, who is 15 years old, has a strong desire to become an advocate for disabled rights and feels very privileged to be named the 2011 Easter Seals Youth Ambassador. She is very excited to help promote not only recreational programs for kids of all abilities but the understanding and acceptance for those children as well.

Melissa Pickle is the 2011 Youth Ambassador for Northern Alberta. Sixteen year old Melissa chose to become the Youth Ambassador for Northern Alberta to help improve awareness of all disabilities to not only make it possible for children of all abilities to participate in community programs, but also to make them feel welcome.

Manitoba

Victoria Scott is welcomed by SMD Foundation/Easter Seals™ Manitoba as the 2011/12 Youth Ambassador. As the Youth Ambassador, eight year old Victoria will have the opportunity to promote the message of accessibility and inclusion for all individuals of all abilities throughout our community and within events and campaigns.

Ontario

Marianna Figueiredo is the 2011 Ontario Provincial Ambassador. There is one key message twelve-year-old Marianna would like to deliver to all kids with physical disabilities: “See beyond the disability. Show the world — we can do anything.”

Jacob Causley-Wilkins joins Marianna as 2011 Ontario Provincial Ambassador. Jacob’s message for Ontario’s kids with physical disabilities is this: “Don’t let yourself get down. Don’t let things stop you. You have to take some risks—not like walking a tight rope or anything—but do your best. Prove yourself. Don’t hide. ”

Newfoundland & Labrador

Danielle Arbour is named the 2011 Easter Seals Ambassador for Easter Seals Newfoundland & Labrador. This future nurse is honored to be chosen Ambassador and looks forward to being the voice for all children and youth with physical disabilities in her province.