Snowarama for Easter Seals will go ahead with new format

COVID-19 won't stop Snowarama, the Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie confirmed today.

While gathering for in-person events is not permitted due to COVID-19 restrictions, the annual Snowarama for Easter Seals Kids will still take place in a different format. This year, there are no specific in-person events, allowing for participants to take part in a safe and socially-distant way.

This year's Snowarama takes place from Jan. 23 to Feb. 28.

The full press release from the Rotary Club reads as follows:

We may not be able to gather for in-person events this year but that shouldn’t stop snow machine riders from getting out to ride the trails and support kids with physical disabilities by participating in the annual Snowarama for Easter Seals Kids. Officially, Snowarama will take place from Jan. 23 to Feb. 28; however, this year’s virtual format means there are no specific in-person events and enables participants to take part anytime and anywhere that is convenient for them.

“Unfortunately, due to restrictions related to COVID-19, we won’t be able to hold any of the in-person Snowarama events that we all know and love, but the kids and families this long-standing event has supported still need our help,” says Carolyn O’Connor, Easter Seals development officer. “We’re encouraging all snow enthusiasts across the province to sign up for Snowarama and support Easter Seals kids when they’re out enjoying the trails this winter.” 

“Snowarama is our first fundraising event of the year and we hope our long-standing participants as well as new riders will register and help get us off to a good start so we can get the kids the equipment they desperately need,” says Kevin Collins, President and CEO, Easter Seals Ontario. “The pandemic has really hit Easter Seals children hard. They have lost access to therapy and other support services as well as social activities and, as a result, have become socially and physical isolated. The need for essential mobility and accessibility equipment for these children in their homes is more crucial than ever before.”

This year, Snowarama has a combined goal of raising $100,000, and riders who raise a minimum of $100 will receive a toque and glove set courtesy of Fast Eddie Racewear. Snowarama for Easter Seals Kids is locally sponsored and endorsed by the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC).

“Easter Seals is our longest running preferred charity, and we encourage all of the snowmobiling community to support Snowarama in their area this year,” said Murray Baker, OFSC President. “It is particularly important for our support in this pandemic year, by registering and getting pledges to help this worthy cause.”

Local sponsors have been very generous again this year, and there will be additional prizes to be won by qualifying Snowarama participants. Local prize sponsors for the Sault Ste. Marie and Bruce Mines rides include Christies RV, Construction Equipment, Dynatype Motorsports, Echo Bay Home Hardware, Joe's Sports and Surplus, Limberlost Lodge, Northshore Sports and Auto, Pine Ridge Auto Services, Rivercity Motorsports, The Pit Stop, The Sault's Plumber, Wolseley Mechanical, and Woody's Wheels.

To register, visit here or for more information, call 705-945-1279.

For almost 100 years, Easter Seals has been a champion for children and youth with physical disabilities from all ethnic and religious backgrounds. Thanks to its generous donors, Easter Seals kids are able to live with greater dignity and independence and focus on what they can do rather than on their limitations. Easter Seals helps by providing funding for essential mobility and accessibility equipment as well as opportunities for fun and friendship at its two fully accessibility camps, Camp Merrywood and Camp Woodeden, and now online via its new virtual camp, Camp E-aster Seals. For more information, visit here.