News and Media

Media Releases by Date

View all Media Releases by Date   

3/10/2008
25 Years of Celebrity and Sponsorship Support Makes a Difference for Easter Seals Kids

Toronto, ON March 10, 2008For 25-years, The Easter Seals Telethon has been entertaining and informing viewers while raising essential funds for children and youth with physical disabilities.

Airing on CBC and affiliate broadcasters, Sunday, April 6th from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., The Easter Seals Telethon celebrates the year's fundraising successes, recognizes generous supporters, and asks for public support.

Families rely on Easter Seals to help purchase essential equipment such as walkers, wheelchairs, and communication devices. Easter Seals also provides fully accessible camping experiences, and funding of Recreational Choices such as day camps, art classes and swimming lessons.

To help raise unprecedented phone-in donations, Game Wave announced a $250,000 gift in kind sponsorship commitment for the Easter Seals Telethon. Game Wave and its multi-player family-friendly games is a perfect fit for the Easter Seals Ontario drive. For each donation of $250 or more, donors will receive a Game Wave entertainment system and three complimentary games. Quantities are limited. Some conditions will apply.

"This is the perfect opportunity for Game Wave to give back to our community, while raising much needed funds for these kids and their families," says Game Wave Vice-President, Mike Montanaro.

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 and youth with physical disabilities.

Long-time supporters of Easter Seals kids, Roger Abbott and Don Ferguson of CBC's Royal Canadian Air Farce will anchor the host position on Sunday, presenting a talented list of artists including, Amy Sky & Marc Jordan, Justin Hines, Newchoir and the cast from Dirty Dancing. A highlight, bringing the house down again this year, will be the cast from We Will Rock You, performing from the poplar musical, with a new special "walk on" featuring the two Provincial Easter Seals Ambassadors.

A number of celebrity hosts continue to honour Easter Seals by engaging viewers during the course of the day, including: Brent Bambury, Erin Davis, Frank Ferragine, Kevin Frankish, Dale Goldhawk, Tom Harrington, Suhana Meharchand, and Tina Srebotnjak. The annual Easter Seals Telethon is a major part of Easter Seals' fundraising campaign March is Easter Seals Month.

There is still much more to do. During March is Easter Seals Month, there are many ways to help kids with physical disabilities. Schools across the province organize their own Penny Power fundraising campaigns. As well, participating retailers across Ontario are offering Paper Eggs for $2 from February 29th to March 23rd. Now in its 61st year, the annual Easter "seal" direct mail campaign is one of Easter Seals' largest fundraising initiatives. For more information or to donate visit www.easterseals.org.

-30-

For media inquiries, contact:
Easter Seals Ontario Communications Department
Barb Saunders (416) 421-8377 ext 326, cell: (416) 655-9546