Easter Seals kickoff
Posted by Stephen Rhodes
Our club kicked off the new Easter Seals campaign on Monday with special greetings from Mayor Susan Fennell.
Acting chair Ed Boonstra introduced Anthony Gale as our new ambassador and thanked outgoing ambassador Chantelle Low for a wonderful year.
Acting chair Ed Boonstra introduced Anthony Gale as our new ambassador and thanked outgoing ambassador Chantelle Low for a wonderful year.
The ambassador's job is to promote and represent 200 Easter Seals families in the area.
Nine-year-old Anthony said he was looking forward to a fun year.
Chantelle said she had a terrific year, some of the highlights being an appearance in the local newspaper five times and overcoming a fear of public speaking. She also said she enjoyed the telethon and was proud to represent an organization "that's so important in my life."
Mayor Fennell thanked the club "for all that you do for children. You can't put into words how special it is for these kids."
The mayor told the club that the signs are going up announcing the arrival of Variety Village in Brampton on the old OPP lands at Queen St. and McLaughlin.
"It makes us proud as a city to be able to do something that recognizes how special these children are."
Ed told the club this year's theme is "More choices for kids"
Easter Seals is offering children and their families what they have been requesting - more exciting camp programs and a wider range of recreational challenges.
The five year vision calls for an investment of more than $20 million in camps and recreational programs. About $5 million has been raised from the sale of two camps. Three other camps - Merrywood near Kingston, Lakewood in Niagara and Woodeden near London will be upgraded to provide an enhanced experience for the children.
Easter Seals will also provide $500 in fundng for children who are looking for a different camp experience - at specialty camps that cater to specialty interests like acting.
Also some of the proceeds from the camp sales will be used to fund travel to camps for children residing in Northern Ontario.
Ed told the club the goal is to have 2000 children and youth participating in the camp program annually by the year 2007, compared 617 today.
Pictured Anthony, Mayor Fennell, Ed and Chantelle.
Nine-year-old Anthony said he was looking forward to a fun year.
Chantelle said she had a terrific year, some of the highlights being an appearance in the local newspaper five times and overcoming a fear of public speaking. She also said she enjoyed the telethon and was proud to represent an organization "that's so important in my life."
Mayor Fennell thanked the club "for all that you do for children. You can't put into words how special it is for these kids."
The mayor told the club that the signs are going up announcing the arrival of Variety Village in Brampton on the old OPP lands at Queen St. and McLaughlin.
"It makes us proud as a city to be able to do something that recognizes how special these children are."
Ed told the club this year's theme is "More choices for kids"
Easter Seals is offering children and their families what they have been requesting - more exciting camp programs and a wider range of recreational challenges.
The five year vision calls for an investment of more than $20 million in camps and recreational programs. About $5 million has been raised from the sale of two camps. Three other camps - Merrywood near Kingston, Lakewood in Niagara and Woodeden near London will be upgraded to provide an enhanced experience for the children.
Easter Seals will also provide $500 in fundng for children who are looking for a different camp experience - at specialty camps that cater to specialty interests like acting.
Also some of the proceeds from the camp sales will be used to fund travel to camps for children residing in Northern Ontario.
Ed told the club the goal is to have 2000 children and youth participating in the camp program annually by the year 2007, compared 617 today.
Pictured Anthony, Mayor Fennell, Ed and Chantelle.