Easter Seals aims to raise funds and awareness for kids with physical disabilities during campaign month

TORONTO, March 1, 2013 /CNW/ - Today marks the beginning of March is Easter Seals Month, Easter Seals Ontario's annual fundraising and awareness campaign for kids with physical disabilities. The annual campaign focuses on raising awareness of the ongoing issues and needs of children with physical disabilities and how people can lend their support in their own communities.

Children and youth with physical disabilities face challenges on a daily basis, including issues surrounding accessibility and lack of opportunities to socialize and participate in recreational activities. For many, this results in feelings of social isolation and lack of self-esteem. For families, the cost of mobility and communication equipment is staggering and expenses can extend beyond their financial capabilities. In 2012, almost half of the families requesting assistance from Easter Seals had an annual household income under $40,000. The financial strain of raising a child with a physical disability can often mean that children have to go without the essential equipment they need.

"Easter Seals programs and services focus on helping young people with physical disabilities experience greater independence and success," said Carol Lloyd, President and CEO, Easter Seals Ontario. "Our main priority is to provide financial assistance to help children with physical disabilities get essential mobility equipment they need. Our fully accessible summer camping program gives kids the opportunity to feel accepted and participate in a wide range of activities, just like other kids."

Easter Seals Ontario also offers scholarships to encourage students with physical disabilities to pursue and help pay for post secondary education. Thanks to a generous donation from TD Bank Group, Easter Seals is proud to introduce the new TD Scholarship for Easter Seals Youth Fund, which will be officially announced on the upcoming Easter Seals Telethon broadcast on Sunday, March 10 on CBC.

March is Easter Seals Month marks the beginning of Easter Seals' annual fundraising efforts, including:

• The 62^nd annual Rogers Conn Smythe Sports Celebrities Dinner and Auction kicks off the campaign month on Thursday, March 7 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, where the new 2013 Provincial Easter Seals Ambassadors will be introduced. www.ConnSmytheDinner.ca
• On Sunday, March 10, from 9:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., the provincial broadcast of the 30^th annual Easter Seals Telethon will air on CBC and on local stations in Kingston. Local Easter Seals Telethons will also take place in other communities in the coming weeks, including: Peterborough on Sunday, March 3, Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury on March 24, and Windsor on April 6. www.EasterSealsTelethon.org
• On March 8, the 13^th annual Easter Seals Paper Eggs Campaign with retailers across Ontario including Booster Juice, TSC, Sobeys, Foodland, FreshCo, Money Mart, Price Chopper and Gateway Newsstands. Shoppers will be invited to purchase a Paper Egg for $2 in retail stores, which will be displayed in-store for the duration of the three-week campaign.
• On Tuesday, March 12, Licks Homeburgers and Ice Cream locations across the province will be selling their famous Homeburgers, Nature Burgers and Gobblers for $2.00 each with $1.00 from each sale being donated to Easter Seals Ontario.

For over 90 years, Easter Seals Ontario has been helping children and youth with physical disabilities experience freedom, independence and sense of accomplishment. Easter Seals, a registered Canadian charity, relies fully on the generosity of donors and sponsors to be able offer its programs and services. For more information or to donate, visit www.easterseals.org.

SOURCE: Easter Seals Ontario

Meredith Wiens
Director, Communications
Easter Seals Ontario
[email protected]
416.421.8377 ext. 368