Let the celebrations begin!
We are turning 99 and heading into a year of celebration to commemorate Easter Seals’ 100th anniversary of changing the world for kids with physical disabilities!
November 28 will mark the 99th birthday of the formation of Easter Seals by a group of visionaries who saw the possibility of what life could be like for children and youth with physical disabilities.
We are extremely proud of this milestone – one that is achieved only by those with the fiercest passion and determination to succeed and the most ardent supporters. This could not be more true for Easter Seals, an organization that has been unwavering in its commitment to the original vision and mandate set out by its founders in 1922.
Over the years, we have helped kids with physical disabilities live with greater independence and dignity, created places for them to participate and have a fun summer experience with other kids, provided opportunities for them to be heard and pursue post-secondary education, offered families respite and the chance to share a vacation together, carried nursing service into homes, built a state-of-the-art provincial treatment centre, formed a network of treatment centres, contributed to research, created awareness for treatment, prevention and safety, and developed leading therapeutic recreation programs.
We have survived and evolved through a depression, war, peace, prosperity, economic recessions, and a global pandemic. And today we are more committed than ever to doing everything within our power to help remove barriers and create a more inclusive society so children and youth with physical disabilities can experience greater independence, freedom, and dignity.
Everything we have accomplished can only be attributed to the remarkable dedication, committed service, and extraordinary generosity of our donors, sponsors, supporters, volunteers, and staff.
Highlights of the coming year include increased advocacy at the provincial level; a birthday celebration component at all Easter Seals’ fundraising events throughout the year; a month of awareness initiatives during March, a birthday party in Ottawa in the spring of 2022 to mark March is Easter Seals Month; local celebratory events, and the illumination of major public landmarks around the province. The organization will also be launching social and digital media campaigns throughout the year on several topics.
I sincerely hope you will join us in our celebrations in the year ahead. After all, YOU are a big part of our success.
Kevin J. Collins
President & CEO
Easter Seals Ontario