March 2006

Welcome to the March 2006 edition of Easter Seals e-news. To kick off our annual fundraising and awareness campaign, Mayors proclaim March is Easter Seals Month. We invite you to celebrate by helping raise awareness of Easter Seals kids in your communities.

2006 Easter Seals Telethon, CBC

April 1 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
April 2 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Our annual Telethon is one of the most loved parts of Easter Seals' fundraising campaign March is Easter Seals Month. This year's Easter Seals Telethon will feature local and national celebrities, as well as families talking about the challenges and rewards of raising children with physical disabilities.

The hilarious duo, Roger and Don of CBC's Royal Canadian Air Farce, will continue their long standing tradition of hosting the Telethon, presenting a very talented list of artists such as Blue Man Group and Lunch at Allen's.

New this year, Canon Canada is giving Easter Seals Telethon stars the chance to show off their photography skills in The Other Side of the Lens - Paying it Forward. Find out more fun information about this exciting promotion in the next e-newsletter, published just before Telethon.

The IX Paralympic Winter Games

The IX Paralympic Winter Games will be held from March 10 to March 19 in Torino, Italy. These games are the ultimate international competition for world-class athletes with a disability. Visit the Canadian Paralympic Committee's Web site at www.paralympic.ca and support our Canadian Paralympic athletes - Easter Seals alumni among them!

Changes to ODSP

Effective April 1, changes will be made to the Ontario Disability Support Program. Visit www.mcss.gov.on.ca for more information.

Tax Time

Information on the Canada Child Tax Benefit can be found on the Federal Government's Web site. Additional tax information can be obtained from the Certified General Accountants of Ontario at www.cga-ontario.org.

Raptors Help Send Easter Seals Kids to Camp

The Toronto Raptors and Easter Seals are teaming up for March is Easter Seals Month. By attending selective Raptors games in March you can help Easter Seals kids have an unforgettable summer at a fully accessible Easter Seals camp. Purchase tickets at a discounted price on our Web site and $10 from each ticket purchased will support Easter Seals kids. Click here to download your ticket order form.

Remember to Gear Up

Open to Easter Seals teens between the ages of 16-25, our Gear Up program is all about working in groups, learning leadership techniques and having fun! For more information, contact camping at 1.800.668.6252 ext. 325 or camp@easterseals.org.

COME AND ENJOY A WEEKEND

Easter Seals Camp Woodeden Weekend
May 5 - 7
This spring Easter Seals will be offering a weekend program at Woodeden Camp. Come and enjoy a fun weekend catching up with old friends and meeting new ones. This fun filled weekend starts Friday evening in time for dinner and ends after lunch on Sunday.

Algonquin Provincial Park
September 22 - 24
Join a small group of campers for a fun weekend in Algonquin Park. Pick up will be in London, Kitchener, Toronto and Barrie.

Visit Easter Seals camping for more information on our new weekend programs.

The Power of One, the Value of Many

Who counts pennies anymore? We do! In 2005, Penny Power for Easter Seals Kids raised over $200,000. In this school-organized penny drive, students collect pennies in Easter Seals' buckets. Contact your local Easter Seals' office in your community to run a Penny Power campaign in a school near you.

It's Cute, Cuddly and Helps Kids

Here's another reason to go out for a scoop of ice cream! We have partnered with Laura Secord to help raise funds for kids with physical disabilities. Purchase an adorable plush bunny for $2.99 and $1 is donated to Easter Seals. This cute bunny is available at Laura Secord location across Ontario.

It's Paper Eggs Time Again

You know spring is just around the corner when supermarkets begin lining their walls with Easter Seals' colourful Paper Eggs. For $2 purchase a Paper Egg and show your support for Easter Seals kids.

Upcoming Events

St. Thomas Lions Telethon for Easter Seals Kids
St. Thomas
March 3
See fantastic local and regional talent perform live - dancing, singing, comedy, and much more!

The Corson Tucker Family Skate
Barrie
March 5
The Minor Hockey team that brings in the most pledges will receive great seats for the Colts home game March 9, 2006, and a special practice with the Colts including pizza from Boston Pizza.

Win a 2006 Mustang GT convertible from The Soccerplace
Windsor
April 2
Tickets are $20 each and the draw will take place on the Great Southwest Telethon.

Easter Seals Mom's Getaway Weekend
Easter Seals Camp Woodeden, London
April 28 to 30
The weekend, developed and led by moms for moms, combines relaxation with information sharing and peer support and is open to all Western Ontario moms who have, or have had, a child registered with The Easter Seal Society, Ontario.

The Persechini Run/Walkathon
York Region
May 28
York Region's largest fundraising event. Collect a minimum of $20 in pledges and run, walk or stroll the 9 km closed street course, suitable for all ages and all ability levels. Founded by local hero and community leader Joe Persechini, the Persechini Run/Walkathon has raised over $3 million.

Easter Seals Regatta @ the RCYC Open
Toronto
June 10
For 16 years, Easter Seals has been known for bringing sailing and the experience of being on the water to kids with physical disabilities. Hosted by the RCYC, the Easter Seals Regatta attracts over 1,000 members of the sailing community representing yacht clubs from across the Golden Horseshoe.

Thomson, Jemmett, Vogelzang Easter Seals Regatta
Kingston Yacht Club
June 17

15th Annual 24 Hour Relay for Easter Seals Kids
Toronto
June 24 - 25
The Easter Seals 24 Hour Relay is a unique and exhilarating adventure where you can stay up all night, take turns walking or running the relay course, enjoy entertainment and sports and party all night! Plus, you'll feel great about it the next day.

BX93 Video Dance Party Woodstock
July 1
A two-steppin' line dancin' country good time - BX93 Video Dance Party!

CIBC Easter Seals Regatta
Ottawa, Nepean Sailing Club
July 15
Whether you are a skilled sailor, a power boater, or a land lover, this summer event has something for everyone.

Showcase of Celebrities Golf Tournament
Barrie
July 27
Step on the greens with sports and entertainment celebrities along with local VIPs for a day to remember.

Easter Seals Drop Zone
Toronto
August 24
Be a Fundraising Superhero and rappel down a building, all the while raising funds for Easter Seals kids.

For more information on Easter Seals' events, please visit www.easterseals.org.

Easter Seals e-news Editor: Nicole Des Roches, Communications Department, 1.800.668.6252 ext. 320
Easter Seals Provincial Office 1185 Eglinton Avenue East Suite 706 Toronto, ON M3C 3C6 Tel: 416.421.8377 Fax: 416.696.1035 Toll Free: 1.800.668.6252 e-mail:info@easterseals.org	Easter Seals Regional Offices For a full contact listing of Easter Seals Regional Offices visit www.easterseals.org

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