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7/17/2008
Roger Abbott and Don Ferguson of CBC’s Royal Canadian Air Farce to Receive Prestigious Easter Seals Toronto's Tribute Award

Toronto, ON, July 17, 2008 –Easter Seals Ontario is proud to announce that Roger Abbott and Don Ferguson of CBC’s Royal Canadian Air Farce will be jointly honoured as the 2008 recipients of the prestigious Easter Seals Toronto’s Tribute Award. The presentation of this year’s awards will take place on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto.

“Roger Abbott and Don Ferguson demonstrate a heart-felt desire to serve children, youth and young adults with physical disabilities,” said the Honourable Brian Tobin, Past Chair of the Easter Seals Capital Campaign. “The Toronto’s Tribute Award and Gala Dinner is a way for Easter Seals kids, families, volunteers and the entire Easter Seals organization to recognize excellence in giving back to the community and to say thanks!”

"For over 25 years Roger Abbott and Don Ferguson have supported Easter Seals, including hosting the annual Easter Seals Telethon broadcast on CBC television, " said Jeff Barnes, Past Chair of the Easter Seals Board of Directors, partner at national law firm Heenan Blaikie LLP, and chair of this year's Toronto's Tribute Gala Dinner. Barnes added, "Congratulations and thanks Roger and Don, for your continued support of Easter Seals kids and their families"

The hit comedy series, Air Farce, is wrapping up after 35 years with a New Year’s Eve special. Starting in radio and with 16 live broadcast seasons, this “final flight” presents Easter Seals with an opportune time to honour Roger and Don as the 2008 tributees of the Toronto’s Tribute award.

Toronto’s Tribute has raised over $ 2.1 million with past honourees including: 2007 Murilo Ferreira, President and CEO of Vale Inco Ltd. and Mr. Duncan Hawthorne, President and CEO, Bruce Power; 2006 – The Right Honourable Paul Martin; 2005 - Joseph J. Barnicke and David S. O’Brien, 2004 - Mayor David Miller and 2003 - former mayor Mel Lastman. All proceeds raised from this event go directly to helping families of children with physical disabilities across Ontario.

For over 85 years, Easter Seals Ontario has been helping children and young adults with physical disabilities to address life’s challenges and achieve personal goals. Easter Seals provides financial assistance to children and youth with physical disabilities to offset the costs of expensive mobility and communication devices such as walkers, braces and wheelchairs, and to provide opportunities for Easter Seals kids to attend fully accessible Easter Seals camps or to participate in other recreational and independence-building programs. For more information on the 2008 Toronto’s Tribute Gala Dinner or to donate, please visit www.easterseals.org.

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