Easter Seals NB News
Woodstock tb!s Honoured for Top Sales - Easter Seals Paper Egg Campaign
July 29th 2010- Easter Seals™ joins tb!s the bargain shop in honouring The Woodstock tb!s store and awarded 1st Place National - Platinum Egg Winner. The tb!s store in Woodstock raised $ 5,456 during the Easter Seals Paper Egg Campaign, which ran four weeks from March 4th to April 8th, 2010. tb!s continued fundraising with an in-store coin box campaign that ended May 1st.
All funds raised support Easter Seals programs and services that provide active living opportunities and adaptive technology for kids and youth with disabilities.
tb!s raised $213,034 nationwide, making it Easter Seals' Top National Paper Egg sponsor in 2010, a distinction it has held since 2007 when it first became involved in this campaign. Since that time, tb!s has raised $658,220 for Easter Seals.
Easter Seals Executive Director Julia Latham presents the Golden Egg Award to staff of the Woodstock tb!s.
On Tuesday 29th June 2010, Julia Latham Executive Director with Easter Seals New Brunswick presented The Golden Egg award to the staff of tb!s Woodstock. It was a day to celebrate the wonderful generosity of tb!s staff of their time and efforts and of community goodwill.
"For a rural community like Woodstock to have raised as much funds as it did, is so impressive, not to mention the fact it was all done in times of a recession! It shows the wonderful spirit in the Woodstock area and the kindness, generosity and hard work of the tb!s staff!" said Executive Director Julia Latham. "I would like to congratulate Doug Mac Kenzie, manager of tb!s, his staff and the people of Woodstock for 10 years of outstanding fundraising. Once again they have led the nation in their fundraising efforts and over the last 10 years raised over $44,000 for Easter Seals."
"The momentum at our stores during the campaign was incredible", says, Regional Manager Dan Barrett. "Our customers gave significantly even in a struggling economy. Without their generosity we would not have achieved these inspiring results. We want to thank every one who contributed this year throughout all our communities".
Woodstock tb!s manager Doug Mackenzie noted the importance of local Business support to the paper egg campaign, "I cannot thank the local business people enough for their contribution to this worthy cause. It has taken the efforts and generosity of the whole community to put Woodstock tb!s in first place for fundraising across Canada again this year. I would like to express a sincere thank you to everyone!"
ESNB executive director Julia Latham presents Glen Piercy with a Certificate of Appreciation for his contributions to the 2010 Easter Seals Paper Egg Campaign.
The Acorn Bookstore was one of the Woodstock businesses that made a big impact in the fundraising success and was awarded a certificate of appreciation also.
tb!s, incorporated in 1999, has 248 stores across Canada and is one of Canada's fastest growing retail chains servicing primarily rural and secondarily, urban markets.
tb!s carries a selection of products for the home (including electronics, house wares and home textiles), as well as men's, women's and children's apparel. tb!s also offers footwear, food, cleaning products, as well as a large selection of toys, seasonal and health and beauty products. To learn more about the company and the products it carries, visit www.TBSstores.com
Saturday June 26th 2010, Open House at Camp Rotary, a huge success!
Easter Seals New Brunswick and the Rotary Club of Fredericton hosted an Open House at Camp Rotary on Grand Lake on Saturday and a great time was had by all.
Brandon Liston - ESNB Ambassador Emeritus welcomes guests.
Campers and visitors were greeted by friendly and helpful Easter Seals camp staff and ESNB Ambassador Emeritus, Brandon Liston. "My first time, I was scared to come to camp, but by the time it came to leave, I was literally hanging on to a pole to stay" a young new attendee was assured by Brandon. Members of the Easter Seals Board of Directors attended and enjoyed greeting newest ESNB ambassador Noah Folz. The opening ceremonies began with a speech from Noah, who warmed the hearts of all who listened. "I love meeting new people and I am a very sociable kid and look forward to meeting you all in 2010 and possibly making a difference in someone's life."
Wizard of Oz entertains guests.
The theme was Wizard of Oz and camp tours were given by colourful characters such as the Wicked Witch of the West, the Tin Man, Dorothy and the Cowardly Lion. The sun shone on all, to make for happy campers who enjoyed the entertainment at the camp fire sessions. Comedy, song and the Wizard of Oz performance, entertained guests and visitors to the open house.
ESNB Board of Directors members - Glen Hughes, Rhonda Ruben, Don Le Blanc, Keith Allen, Noah Folz (ESNB ambassador) and Doug Bridgman.
The day was attended by Minister of Finance, Hon. Greg Byrne and his wife Valerie. Grand Lake Camp Rotary was full of song, fun and laughter until hungry campers made their way to the wonderful BBQ spread.
A huge thank you goes out from Easter Seals New Brunswick and the Rotary Club of Fredericton to all who attended and to all who made this day possible.
Easter Seals New Brunswick assists Helping Hands for Haiti
Helping Hands for Haiti get the equipment needed for those with Disabilities
Easter Seals NB Staff prepared and packaged equipment bound for Haiti. From left to right: Pat Silvea, Holland Davidson, Pramod Verma, and Tom Dodd.
Easter Seals NB has stepped in to help those with disabilities in Haiti.
As most of us know the January 2010 Haitian earthquake was a catastrophic disaster affecting over three million people. It is estimated 230,000 people died and 300,000 were injured. This of course has left thousands of Haitians now living with disabilities in a country unprepared for such tragedy. Easter Seals New Brunswick has decided to extend its services to Helping Hands for Haiti by donating supplies from its surplus of equipment for those with disabilities. "We are happy to see this outmoded equipment be put to good use and hope it makes a positive difference in the victim's lives" said Tom Dodd - Loans Coordinator with Easter Seals.
The medical teams already in place in Haiti are delighted at the prospect of having the proper equipment to assist those in need and of course have the knowledge to assemble and operate such devices. It is a much needed addition to the assistance already being dispatched through the wonderful work of those at Helping Hands for Haiti. "We make good partners, as Easter Seals has passé equipment we would like to see utilized and Helping Hands for Haiti has the expertise to assemble the equipment once it arrives for its new owners" said Julia Latham, Executive Director for ESNB.
Accessibble Sports in New Brunswick
"Someone told Sarah the first time Sabrina (Durepos, a wheelchair basketball paraolympian) went out it took her two hours to get her first basket, Sarah's response to me was 'And she has two good hands, Mom, and I've only got one,' and she got it within the first hour."
It didn’t stop there, Sarah got three baskets that very first night, says Beth Lord mother of Sarah Lord one of the participants in the new Easter Seals New Brunswick Abilities program. The program was started this fall and is intended to give children with a physical disability an introduction into a variety of accessible sports. Participants have the opportunity to try sports such as wheelchair basketball, archery, curling, sledge hockey and skiing.
It is incredibly important for people to stay active. This has been difficult for teenagers in New Brunswick, as there are very few accessible sport programs in the province. This program is giving teenagers with disabilities the chance to not only be active but to experience being on a team. The participants are able to be social, meet new friends, gain self confidence and discover their abilities while gaining a stronger sense of independence. Parents get the opportunity to cheer as their children score a goal, get a basket, and hit the target.
There is a great need for programs like this in more New Brunswick cities. Eventually, Easter Seals NB would love to see similar models running in all the major cities. This program has come as a very welcome addition to the participant’s lives and their families.
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Easter Seals New Brunswick applauds Canada’s Ratification
2010-08-04 19:09:42
On March 11th at United Nations headquarters in New York City the Government of Canada ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. “This has been a long time coming but vital for Canadians with disabilities,” says Julia Latham, executive Director for Easter Seals New Brunswick. “The premise behind Canada’s ratification of the UN Convention is exactly that of our organization, to work in partnership with people with disabilities so that they may attain independence and equality available in the community.”
The Convention was adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 13, 2006. The United Nations intends to internationally protect the human rights of those with disabilities by implementing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. All countries that party with the Convention are requested to endorse, defend and guarantee full human rights for persons with disabilities.
The United Nations opened the Convention for signature on March 30, 2007 and Easter Seals New Brunswick is very proud that Canada was among the first countries to sign.
Almost 14.3 percent of the Canadian population lives with a disability, which makes up about 4.4 million people. It is so important that we show these Canadians the same respect and equality in their communities that any other resident or citizen receives.
Easter Seals New Brunswick has been supporting those with disabilities since 1966. It is affiliated with the Easter Seals National Council and has sister organizations across Canada.”We have a long history of helping those with disabilities and we like to encourage their abilities in their own lives and the community around them. One of our most beloved programs is Camp Rotary, and the Abilities program! “It really shows the kids their abilities!” said ESNB executive director, Julia Latham.