30 Year-Old Relay Rallies for Easter Seals

Easter Seals supporters from across the country rallied around the Money Mart Easter Seals 24 Hour Relay, raising millions of dollars to ensure that Canadians with disabilities attend Easter Seals transformational camps and receive the access equipment they need.

Vancouver, home to Canada’s longest-standing Relay, celebrated 30 years of endurance, great memories and $25M raised for Easter Seals during that time. This year was another resounding success with more than 130 teams raising $1.14M.

Vancouver Island kicked things off the first weekend in June by raising $564,286. Island participants pushed their limits of endurance, stamina, and fun over the weekend as they celebrated months of fundraising for Vancouver Island’s children with disabilities. 

The Kelowna Relay also report strong results with $170,511 raised.

In Toronto, more than 35 teams braved the rain on Father’s Day weekend, enjoying such activities such as volleyball, softball, tug of war and a chance to practice their golf swing. And of course, one member from each team was running on the track during the entire 24 hours.

Despite a drop in teams, Regina participants rallied together to pull in more than $76,000. Special nod to Century 21 Conexus Realty Ltd. for raising $47,357 for Easter Seals programs and services in Saskatchewan.  

The Edmonton Relay was also very pleased to announce that it raised $138,255. Edmonton offered participants a taste of Mexico, with its Mexican Fiesta, complete with sombreros, fabulous refreshments and food, Mexican style entertainment and even a limbo contest. In Saskatoon, participants also enjoyed an open air movie theatre during the evening.

At the frontline of every Relay event, which stretches from Victoria to Halifax, are Money Mart volunteers who ensure that the timing tents run smoothly. This year is Money Mart’s first as National Title Sponsor.

“Easter Seals makes a much needed difference in the lives of kids with disabilities and we are truly honored to be a part of their efforts,” says Larry Taylor, President, National Money Mart. “This summer marks our 7th year as a major sponsor of the Relay and we are thrilled to announce and celebrate our inaugural year as the title sponsor! I sincerely wish to thank all of our dedicated staff and customers across Canada for their generous support year after year. I know that together we will continue to break our fundraising record as we have every year and also reach a major milestone of over $2 million raised since 2003!”

Money Mart branches are actively fundraising for Easter Seals until the end of July. Money Mart annually raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for Easter Seals.

The Money Mart Easter Seals 24 Hour Relay takes place in Halifax on July 25-26 at Wanderers Grounds and Montreal on September 3 at Parc Jean-Drapeau Olympic Basin. For details visit www.24hourrelay.ca.

Easter Seals Canada Salutes Safeway Canada for Fundraising Milestone.


Safeway Canada employees raised an unprecedented $1,154,715 to support Kid’s Camps through its 2009 campaign, Canada Safeway Helping All Kids reach their full potential.

During the April 2009 campaign Canada Safeway customers donated at store check stands. The campaign included awareness-raising messages in stores and on the company’s web site as well as in print and broadcast advertising. The campaign ran in the United States as well, raising all together $8.8 million.

In addition to being one of Easter Seals’ major corporate sponsors, Safeway Canada is one of the nation’s largest employers of people with disabilities.

“The results of our fundraising efforts are compelling evidence that supporting Canadian children, youth and adults with disabilities is a priority in the communities where we operate Safeway stores” said Chuck Mulvenna, President and COO Canada Safeway Limited.

“Providing this level of funding over a five week period is nothing less than remarkable,” said Max Beck, CEO Easter Seals Canada. “It makes a very positive comment as to the fundraising capabilities of both Safeway’s staff and customers and their collective support of children, youth and adults with disabilities.”

Funds raised by Safeway are earmarked for Easter Seals Kid’s Camps to allow for the expanded use of these facilities by children and their families living with a disability. In addition to upgrading camp infrastructures, Easters Seals will establish new camp programs and replace aging equipment.

Easter Seals is the leading non-profit provider of services for individuals with developmental disabilities, physical and mental disabilities and other special needs.

Paper Egg Campaign Raises More for Easter Seals

The 2009 Paper Egg Campaign was another huge success. While sales from all participating retailers are not yet in, national and regional sponsors are reporting increases from last year’s campaign. The Bargain! Shop, national top selling sponsor, raised more than $221,922, a substantial jump from the $145,000 it raised in 2008.

Atlantic sponsors Lawtons Drugs and Price Chopper raised $66,844 and $9,756 respectively, while Western sponsor, Sobeys West raised $127,752.

Easter Seals is pleased to announce that Money Mart, Ontario provincial sponsor for the Paper Egg campaign, raised more than $69,000 during its inaugural year in the campaign.

Easter Seals thanks the staff and customers of its national, regional and local sponors for helping to make a difference for kids with disabilities one paper egg at a time. For a full list of participating Paper Egg sponsors, click here.