“There was just a magical feeling in the air. Everyone was so happy and knew that they were doing something good.”
“There was just a magical feeling in the air. Everyone was so happy and knew that they were doing something good,” Julie Das, a former member of the Bobby Orr Skate-a-Thon for Easter Seals Organizing Committee, warmly recalls, reflecting on her time at these events.
Julie was only 11 years old when she first attended the Bobby Orr Skate-a-Thon for Easter Seals, then held at Maple Leaf Gardens in downtown Toronto. “I was a big hockey fan, so I convinced a couple of friends to go. We got to skate a few times and then we just spent the rest of the day in the stands talking to people and taking in the scene.” Little did Julie know that attending this event would have a profound influence on the rest of her life.
The Bobby Orr Skate-a-Thon for Easter Seals, known today as the Toronto Maple Leafs Skate for Easter Seals Kids, is a longstanding event that raises much-needed funds for children and youth with physical disabilities. Started in 1981 by Bobby Orr, the event has raised over $7.5 million while supporting so many others.
Although Julie was not an Easter Seals kid herself, her involvement in the Skate-a-Thon ignited a lifelong passion for making a difference in the lives of others. “I remember going door to door collecting pledges. I worked hard and was able to raise $300 dollars. I was so proud that I was able to contribute to a good cause.”
Although Julie was not an Easter Seals kid herself, her involvement in the Skate-a-Thon ignited a lifelong passion for making a difference in the lives of others.
Julie explains that her involvement with the Skate-a-Thon was a valuable learning experience, sharing, “Prior to participating, I didn’t know that there were organizations out there helping children with physical disabilities, but having had the chance to be involved, and seeing what philanthropy was, what charity was, it was an eye opener for me.”
Understanding that even a small effort can make a significant impact, Julie went on to organize her own Skate-a-Thon fundraiser as a teenager in her hometown, Pickering, Ontario. A few years later, as a young university student in the early 1990s, she was inspired to make an even greater impact – she reached out to Easter Seals directly, to inquire about joining the Organizing Committee of the Skate-a-Thon.
“I was so young, but the staff member from Easter Seals took a chance on me and I have always been grateful,” Julie recounts. “I was so nervous as it was my first experience being involved with such a high-profile event, but it was a lot of fun and an experience that I would never forget. I learned a lot from the team, and I enjoyed it so much that I came back again the next year.” In her second year, Julie recruited two friends to volunteer and one of them is her now husband, together for over 34 years. “He actually still has his red and white Skate-a-Thon volunteer sweatshirt from all those years ago!”
Beyond raising funds, events like these serve as catalysts for inspiration, igniting the passion to make a difference in those who participate.
Julie’s inspiration from her Skate-a-Thon experiences, coupled with the knowledge gained from her own fundraising endeavors, propelled her towards a rewarding career dedicated to creating positive change through community programs and events. Over the years, Julie has been a part of many projects in Toronto and the surrounding area. She also worked as a member of a team during the 2015 Toronto Pan Am and Parapan Am Games, that developed legacy programs focused on children’s physical literacy and barrier-free training opportunities for those interested in becoming sport leaders and or coaches.
Julie’s journey, from her first encounter with the Skate-a-Thon to her impactful career, is a testament to the enduring power of philanthropic events like the Bobby Orr Skate-a-Thon for Easter Seals. “For me watching Timmy and Tammy skate with Bobby and seeing their joy and pride in representing all the other Easter Seals kids, greatly affected me,” Julie explains.
Beyond raising funds, events like these serve as catalysts for inspiration, igniting the passion to make a difference in those who participate. So, if you’re looking for a way to give back and truly make a difference, consider volunteering or getting involved with Easter Seals events like the upcoming Toronto Maple Leafs Skate for Easter Seals Kids. Making the decision to get involved can not only change your life but, also the lives of countless others. Join us in creating a brighter future for children and youth with physical disabilities.