Easter Seals Ontario is celebrating a century of providing innovative, life-changing programs to children and youth with physical disabilities. To mark this incredible milestone, we are returning to the place where it all began, Windsor, ON, with a fall lineup of exciting events and initiatives.
Since our founding on November 28, 1922, Easter Seals has forged the way for improved care and services for children and youth with disabilities, built ground-breaking facilities, and given kids a platform to advocate for themselves. Through the support of our community, we have empowered generations of individuals to break through barriers and lead rich and fulfilling lives with strength and independence. Everything we have accomplished has been the result of the remarkable dedication, committed service, and extraordinary generosity of supporters like you, and we hope that you will join us this fall as we celebrate and share our appreciation for our entire community.
100 Champions for 100 Years
For 100 years, we have been fortunate to work side-by-side with a community of champions who believe in the potential of kids with physical disabilities. Their efforts have removed limitations and opened new possibilities for deserving children and youth.
To celebrate and build on this century of impact, we are inviting those in Windsor-Essex to join our 100 Champions for 100 Years initiative by donating $100 to Easter Seals kids.
This initiative offers an affordable opportunity to make a lasting impact while joining a community of like-minded individuals who share a desire not only to impact a person’s life, but to give that person the ability to impact the world.
Your contribution will help provide the resources, support, and opportunities kids with physical disabilities need to reach new heights, in this generation and those to come. You will also receive an invitation to our special Windsor-Essex Centennial Celebration taking place on November 28, 2022, at Willistead Manor, and your name will be displayed at the event and on the event web page.
Windsor-Essex Centennial Celebrations
On November 28, 1922, representatives from seven Rotary Clubs came together in Windsor, ON to address the lack of services and care available to children with physical disabilities. This group of visionaries saw the possibility of what life could be like for children and youth with physical disabilities, and they formed the organization that is now known as Easter Seals Ontario.
Being the local representative at the time of our founding, Rotary Club 1918 played a key role in establishing Easter Seals Ontario and provided pivotal support over the years to help create a better world for kids with physical disabilities. We are honoured to have Rotary Club 1918 closely involved in our Windsor-Essex centennial celebrations, as we honour and continue the work they helped begin 100 years ago.
Join us as we celebrate all that we have accomplished together over the past 100 years and share our thanks and appreciation for the Windsor-Essex community at the upcoming events this fall:
CENTENNIAL MEDIA EVENT
Presented by The Toldo Foundation
September 28, 2022, 10 a.m. – Water’s Edge Event Centre
We will be inviting local and provincial media to join us for this historical event as we launch our fall lineup of Windsor-Essex centennial celebrations. Easter Seals Ontario representatives, local officials, local and provincial youth ambassadors, and key figures in our centennial celebrations will be in attendance for this press conference and question and answer period, sharing details about the events to come.
For more information, contact Starr Meloche at smeloche@easterseals.org or (226) 975-5767
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION WINE AND CHEESE BIRTHDAY PARTY
Presented by The Toldo Foundation
November 28, 2022, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Willstead Manor
Join us for our official 100th birthday party at the historic Willstead Manor. The event will include hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, speeches from prominent members of both Easter Seals and the Windsor-Essex community, and a special Easter Seals Champion feature exhibit. Above all, the evening will be an opportunity to thank all of the dedicated supporters from the Windsor-Essex region who have contributed to the success of Easter Seals Ontario.
For more information, contact Starr Meloche at smeloche@easterseals.org or (226) 975-5767
DANCING WITH EASTER SEALS STARS
Presented by The Toldo Foundation
February 10, 2023, 5:30 p.m. – Water’s Edge Event Centre
Join us for a glitzy evening of dancing, dinner, and fun with our local community at the first-ever Windsor-Essex Dancing with Easter Seals Stars event. In honour of our 100th birthday, the night will feature special centennial items and a 1920’s theme.
Please note: Dancing with Easter Seals Stars has been postponed to Friday, February 10, 2023.
EASTER SEALS TELETHON – WINDSOR-ESSEX
Presented by The Toldo Foundation
November 5, 2022, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – St. Clair Centre for the Arts
The year’s Telethon will return to a live and in-person event, and we couldn’t be more excited. Produced by CTV, the show will include many of our traditional features such as Bob Belacicco as our host, the angel board, roaming reporter, cheque presentations, and of course, our panels.