Another Record Anticipated for 10th Annual Easter Seals(TM) Paper Egg
Campaign

TORONTO, March 8 /CNW/ - 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, visit www.paperegg.ca.

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 further information: Cheryl McNamara, Development & Communications Manager, Easter Seals Canada, Phone: [phone] ext 245, Email: [email protected]