Best Buy Canada and Easter Seals Bring Tech to Camp

From cameras to karaoke machines, $120,000 worth of technology donated.

Announcement Highlights:

• Best Buy Canada is donating $120,000 worth of technology to 12 Easter Seals camps across Canada
• Each camp will receive a variety of technology from computers, to cameras and karaoke machines to help enhance the summer camp experience for kids
• The donation to Easter Seals Canada is part of Best Buy's ongoing commitment to empowering kids through technology

BURNABY, BC, Aug. 12, 2013 /CNW/ - Best Buy is teaming up with Easter Seals Canada to equip 12 Easter Seals camps with a full suite of technology to further fun, learning and engagement. Geek Squad Agents have visited each camp to install $10,000 worth of electronics, making sure it was ready for the excited campers and counsellors.

"This gift from Best Buy will make a significant difference in lives of the children who attend our camps. Our focus is to have the kids discover their abilities and the technology provided by Best Buy goes a long way to achieving our mission," said Stephen Miller, President & CEO Easter Seals BC/Yukon. "The items Best Buy is donating are on everyone's wish list. The campers and professional staff are very excited about being able to work and play with this new technology."

Camps will use the technology to improve existing camp activities and create new ones, all designed to build confidence and independence. Cameras and computers will be used to capture special camp moments and send pictures home, helping campers convey the camp experience to their families. Tablets with communication apps will help campers who struggle verbally to better communicate with their counsellors and fellow campers. Televisions will make movie night on rainy evenings possible and the karaoke machines will bring a whole new level of excitement to weekly talent shows. For the more than 7,000 children with disabilities who attend an Easter Seals camp each year, this donation will add another element to each opportunity they have to take risks and try new things in the safe, warm and supportive environment of camp.

"We are thrilled to work with Easter Seals Canada to make this donation happen," said Andrea Farnell, Community Relations Manager, Best Buy Canada. "After visiting Camp Squamish and seeing the Easter Seals camp staff and counsellors in action, we are truly inspired and proud to help them positively impact the lives of kids with disabilities."

This donation will benefit the following 12 camps across Canada:

British Columbia

• Camp Shawnigan
• Camp Squamish
• Camp Winfield

Alberta

• Camp Horizon

Saskatchewan

• Camp Easter Seal

Ontario

• Camp Merrywood
• Camp Woodeden

Quebec

• Camp Papillon
• Les Bosquets Albert Hudon Camp
• Caravan Papillon

Newfoundland & Labrador

• Camp Bumbleberry

Nova Scotia

• Camp Tidnish

About Easter Seals Canada

Easter Seals Canada is a non-profit organization dedicated to fully enhancing the quality of life, self-esteem and self-determination of Canadians with disabilities. As Canada's largest local provider of programs and services, Easter Seals is dedicated to helping more than 100,000 Canadians with disabilities participate fully in society.

About Best Buy Canada

Best Buy stores in Canada are a division of Burnaby, BC-based Best Buy Canada Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY). We are Canada's fastest-growing retailer and e-tailer of consumer electronics, computers and entertainment products. With over 70 Best Buy stores across Canada, we offer a unique shopping experience with the latest technology and entertainment products, at the right price, with a no-pressure (non-commissioned) sales environment. Every day our employees are committed to helping deliver technology solutions that enable easy access to people, knowledge, ideas and fun. We are keenly aware of our role and impact on the world, and we are committed to developing and implementing business strategies that bring sustainable technology solutions to our consumers and communities. For information about Best Buy Canada, visit www.BestBuy.ca.

Image with caption: "From cameras to karaoke machines, campers at Easter Seals camps across Canada will have access to more tools to discover their abilities thanks in part to a donation of $120,000 worth of technology from Best Buy Canada. The donation will outfit each of the 12 camps with a suite of technology to further fun, learning and engagement for kids with disabilities. (CNW Group/Best Buy Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130812_C4995_PHOTO_EN_29742.jpg

SOURCE: Best Buy Canada

Danielle Jang
Communications Manager
Best Buy Canada
604-562-5631
[email protected]