Partnership between Shoppers Home Health Care and Easter Seals Ontario to benefit kids with physical disabilities and their families

TORONTO, Nov. 4, 2013 /CNW/ - Easter Seals Ontario is pleased to announce a new partnership with Shoppers Home Health Care that will result in increased access to mobility equipment for families of children with physical disabilities. As Easter Seals' preferred vendor, Shoppers Home Health Care will contribute a percentage of every dollar Easter Seals funds through our financial assistance program for mobility and accessibility equipment at Ontario Shoppers Home Health Care locations between now and August 31, 2014.

"We're excited to engage in a partnership with Easter Seals Ontario that will benefit families of children and youth with physical disabilities and will grow the type of financial assistance that Easter Seals currently provides," said Bryce McBain, Director of Sales, Shoppers Home Health Care. "Ultimately, our goal is to assist families in our communities by helping their children get the accessibility equipment they need to be more independent in their daily lives."

Funds generated through this program will be directed to Easter Seals Financial Assistance Program which provides assistance to help purchase essential mobility and accessibility equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, bath seats and car seats for children with physical disabilities.

"This partnership with Shoppers Home Health Care is a wonderful opportunity that will increase funds available through our financial assistance program to help more kids with physical disabilities get the essential equipment they need," said Sandra Bellisario, Vice President, Development, Easter Seals Ontario. "The financial burden on families of children with physical disabilities to provide everything their child needs is tremendous. We welcome this initiative by Shoppers Home Health Care to provide increased assistance when the need is so great."

"We have some of the most passionate people at Shoppers Home Health Care who feel that it is a privilege to join Easter Seals in helping more of our children and youth access the rehab equipment that they need," continued Mr. McBain. "We believe in Easter Seals' vision to create a better quality of life for kids with physical disabilities."

Easter Seals relies solely on partnerships such as the one with Shoppers Home Health Care, along with donations from the general public and sponsors, to be able to provide its programs and services.

About Shoppers Drug Mart Corporation
Shoppers Drug Mart Corporation is one of the most recognized and trusted names in Canadian retailing. The Company is the licensor of full-service retail drug stores operating under the name Shoppers Drug Mart (Pharmaprix in Québec). With 1,244 Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix stores operating in prime locations in each province and two territories, the Company is one of the most convenient retailers in Canada. The Company also licenses or owns 57 medical clinic pharmacies operating under the name Shoppers Simply Pharmacy (Pharmaprix Simplement Santé in Québec) and six luxury beauty destinations operating as Murale. As well, the Company owns and operates 62 Shoppers Home Health Care stores, making it the largest Canadian retailer of home health care products and services. In addition to its retail store network, the Company owns Shoppers Drug Mart Specialty Health Network Inc., a provider of specialty drug distribution, pharmacy and comprehensive patient support services, and MediSystem Technologies Inc., a provider of pharmaceutical products and services to long-term care facilities.

About 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. Programs and services include financial assistance for the purchase of essential mobility equipment, fully accessible summer camp at its two fully owned and operated camp properties, and post secondary education scholarships. 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