Life can change in an instant. Here's how you can help

The Easter Seals Telethon is looking for volunteers

Photo supplied by Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie

NEWS RELEASE
ROTARY CLUB OF SAULT STE MARIE
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The Sault Ste. Marie Easter Seals Telethon is on Sunday, March 25, from noon to 6 p.m. and is in need of phone panelists. Just a little donated time can make a BIG difference! Panelists are trained for 30 minutes and then work a phone for 45 minutes (that’s less time than it takes to watch a movie).

Life can change in an instant - an ultrasound result; a visit to the pediatrician; a child forgets to look both ways. Would you be able to afford a $20,000 electric wheelchair tomorrow? How easy would it be to raise $5,000 for the communication device needed to interact with your loved one?

These are just some of the reasons why Easter Seals is there to help the families of kids with a variety of disabilities and medical conditions, including cerebral palsy (CP), spina bifida, muscular dystrophy (MD), and spinal cord injuries.

A panelist’s job is to accurately and legibly record pledges. We also encourage our phone panelist to call out to family, friends, co-workers for donations via traditional methods and online, and we offer incentive prizes for those who do so.

Phone panelists can join us as individuals or gather a team to represent an organization or special interest group.

Malcolm Smith’s involvement as a panelist began during his time as treasurer of the Easter Seals District Council when he saw the needs of local Easter Seals families firsthand. Like many people joining Telethon for the first time, “the prospect of waiting for someone to call was intimidating.”

That didn’t stop Malcolm from making the call for Easter Seals kids. “I chose to approach people in advance for a donation or arrange for them to be available the day of the telethon when I would call them. I am not sure of what year I first became a panellist, but it is close to 20 years ago and some donors are prepared for my annual call.”

If you are interested in participating or have any questions, please contact Carolyn O’Connor at 705-945-1279 or by email at [email protected].

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