Rick Harker and Marlene Hoar poise prior to plunging 20 stories in Vancouver. Half way down they exchanged marriage vows.

Easter Seals Drop Zone superheroes made history this year by collectively raising more than $1 million for Easter Seals in support of Canadians with disabilities.

In total, 580 superheroes raised $1,096,685 and counting, with last minute donations coming in.

‘Superheroes’ are participants of Canada’s most unique fundraising event. Canadians are invited to rappel down the side of one of nine office buildings across the country by raising a minimum of $1500 through private donations in support of Easter Seals programs and services such as accessible summer camp and adaptive technology. To get into the spirit of the campaign, many participants don the outfits of superheroes.

“I believe in helping these kids. That’s my drive. It’s for them,” says Saskatoon superhero Elaine Bleie, top fundraiser for the last three years. Bleie raised more than $28,000 for kids with disabilities in Saskatchewan during that timeframe.

“You’d never know there was a recession,” says Cheryl McNamara, national campaign facilitator. “Easter Seals superheroes have really stepped up, and so have their donors. They are pushing the limits for themselves and for the cause. Everyone at Easter Seals cannot thank them enough. They truly are inspiring.”

The event grew by an astounding 23 percent since last year. Superheroes rappelled in nine cities this year, starting in Winnipeg and moving to Regina, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Victoria, Halifax and Montreal.

One of the event highlights was the wedding of Marlene Hoar and longtime Easter Seals volunteer, Rick Harker, who tied the knot so to speak half way down 999 West Hastings during the Vancouver Drop Zone on September 15.

“We are crazy in love and really want to do an off the wall wedding that we will remember for many years to come that we can talk to our grandchildren about and at the same time help children with disabilities,” they wrote on their fundraising profile page.

As always, the Easter Seals Drop Zone attracted local media, including approximately 40 journalists who rappelled themselves, quite often while live on air.

“It takes your breath away, it actually takes your breath away,” said Heather Steele, CityTV personality in Winnipeg right after her rappel. “You can’t believe you did it and now of course you want to do it again right away.”

For more on the Easter Seals Drop Zone, visit www.thedropzone.ca

Amway is committed to helping people live better lives. This commitment extends beyond its products and business opportunity to its partnership with Easter Seals. Amway Canada is proud to partner with its independent business owners and employees to support its charity of choice, Easter Seals Canada, as part of Amway’s global One by One campaign.

“Beyond the outstanding work that Easter Seals does for people with disabilities – which is obvious, our affiliation with this great organization has offered us another great way to connect with our independent business owners,” says Jim Hunking, Managing Director for Amway Global’s Canadian and Caribbean Operations. “Through support of initiatives like the Drop Zone, we’ve been able to work with our employees and IBOs towards a common goal – one which defines our company – helping people live better lives.”

Here’s how Canadian Independent Business Operators (IBOs) make a difference:

Easter Seals Drop Zone: Amway supports the Easter Seals Drop Zone as National Hero Sponsor. IBOs and Amway employees join Team Amway in taking the plunge for Easter Seals. At this event, participants collect pledges and then rappel down some of the tallest buildings across Canada! It’s a leap of faith we take together to make a difference!

On-line Donations: IBOs and Customers shopping on Amway Global’s Canadian Website can make on-line donations to Easter Seals in either $10 or $25 increments.

Amway Canada is committed to helping the children and adults with disabilities live their dreams!

Canadian Real Estate Investment Trust (CREIT) is founding sponsor of Easter Seals Drop Zone, helping to pioneer one of the most exciting fundraising events in Canada. Canadians are asked to be a superhero for Easter Seals and rappel off of an office building, many of which are CREIT-owned.

CREIT provides buildings as well as recruitment and cash support for Easter Seals Drop Zone, now in its fifth year. Canadians have the opportunity to rappel off the side of a building in one of 10 participating cities, so long as they raise the minimum $1500 in support of kids with disabilities.

To date, Easter Seals has raised $3.7 million through the Drop Zone. This would not be possible without CREIT’s vision and stewardship.

CREIT is a real estate investment trust focused on accumulating a portfolio of high-quality real estate assets and delivering the benefits of real estate ownership to Unitholders. The primary benefit is a reliable and, over time, increasing monthly cash distribution. CREIT owns a portfolio of 160 retail, office and industrial properties.

Register today at www.thedropzone.ca!

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s you!?! That’s right – you!

Join hundreds of Canadians as they rappel off the side of a building in multiple bounds to raise funds for Easter Seals.

Fulfill a goal! Face and conquer a fear of heights! Make a difference! Sign up for the Easter Seals Drop Zone and join a group of ‘Elite Superheroes’. Since 2005, more than 2,300 Superheroes joined the exclusive Superhero Club for Easter Seals, raising more than $3.76 million dollars for Canadians with disabilities across Canada!

The concept is simple; raise a minimum of $1,500 for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rappel down the side of a building. People will really look up to you!

Register today at www.thedropzone.ca

Sponsored by CREIT and Amway Canada.