CAW Shows Holiday Spirit - Donates $300,000 for Kids with Disabilities

TORONTO , Dec. 22 /CNW/ - For families of children with physical disabilities, financial struggles are something they face all year round, not just during the holiday season. Easter Seals Ontario provides funding to families of kids with physical disabilities for costly equipment such as wheelchairs, porch ramps, van lifts and communication devices. As children grow equipment must be replaced and can cost families between $10,000 and $40,000 a year. The need becomes more evident considering the fact that forty-percent of families who requested assistance from Easter Seals Ontario last year, self-reported a total annual household income of under $40,000 .

By providing financial assistance, Easter Seals helps ease the financial burden on families so that children with physical disabilities are able to access the programs and services they need to achieve a greater level of independence.

This year, the holidays became brighter for children and youth with physical disabilities when the Canadian Auto Workers reconfirmed their continued support for Easter Seals Ontario.

The CAW, one of Easter Seals Ontario's leading supporters, demonstrated their commitment by renewing their three-year financial commitment totaling $300,000 , which will help Easter Seals kids across the Ontario.

"The CAW is committed to community involvement. Despite the challenging economic times, our work and commitment extends beyond our members to those in the community that need our help," said CAW National President Ken Lewenza . "These kids rely on very costly equipment to be mobile and independent and they need our assistance."

In addition to the financial support for Easter Seals Ontario from the CAW Social Justice Fund , the CAW is a long-time sponsor of the annual Easter Seals Telethon and the annual Spirit of Giving Dinner in Port Elgin, Ontario.

"The CAW is one of our leading partners and we are very grateful for their long-standing support," said Carol Lloyd , Easter Seals Ontario President and CEO. "Our ability to serve children and youth with physical disabilities for the past 87 years is largely dependent on the generosity of organizations like the CAW, that give back to the community in such a meaningful way."

Easter Seals Ontario provides financial assistance to children with physical disabilities and also owns and operates two fully accessible camps and is recognized as an industry leader in providing specialized recreational programs for kids with physical disabilities.

For more information, or to donate, please call 416.421.8377 or go to www.easterseals.org.

For further information: For media inquiries contact: Barb Saunders, Senior Communications Officer, Easter Seals Ontario, [phone] ext. 326, Cell: [phone], [email protected]