Your spare change can change a life

NEWS RELEASE

ROTARY CLUB OF SAULT STE MARIE

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The public is encouraged to drop off their spare change at any Sault Ste. Marie TD Canada Trust branch during the month of February in support of TD Change For Change in the lives of Easter Seals Kids.

2017 marks Easter Seals Ontario’s 95th anniversary of serving children and youth with physical disabilities by offering programs and services that enable kids to experience freedom and independence and focus on what they can do rather than on their limitations.

“TD Bank and local staff are more than proud to sponsor Change for Change once again in support of Easter Seals. All dollars raised are used to help Easter Seal children and their families with some of the financial burdens they face daily,” shared Angie DiGasparro, Manager of Business Banking and Chair of Change for Change. “TD is very committed to children's charities and this is one that is close to all of our hearts. Please come visit us at any TD branch and help support this great cause.”

Easter Seals helps kids with a variety of disabilities and medical conditions, including cerebral palsy (CP), spina bifida, muscular dystrophy (MD), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), Rett syndrome, and spinal cord injuries.

Of the families who requested financial assistance from Easter Seals and self-reported their annual income in 2016, 45% of families had a total annual household income under $40,000 and 24 per cent had a total family income under $20,000.

Easter Seals owns and operates two fully accessible camp properties, Camp Woodeden in London, Ontario and Camp Merrywood, near Perth, Ontario.

A new, multi-activity Sports Pad at Camp Merrywood features a covered, concrete pad suitable for a variety of activities including sledge hockey, wheelchair basketball, and outdoor dances, as well as accessible washrooms and a storage area.

In 2016, 808 campers participated in Easter Seals’ camping and recreation programs. Easter Seals also provides post-secondary scholarships to help youth pursue a college or university education as well as important information resources for parents and caregivers.

Easter Seals programs and services are funded entirely through donations by individuals, sponsors and foundations. If everyone in Sault Ste. Marie gave one toonie, the funds raised could purchase 8 power wheelchairs, a life-changing piece of equipment that gives kids independence and freedom. Please donate at a local TD today.

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