Kingston marks Easter Seals Month with first annual Curl for Kids Bonspiel

Easter Seals Ontario has launched its annual awareness and fundraising campaign, March Is Easter Seals Month (MIESM), in Kingston, the surrounding community, and across the province. This year’s campaign is focused on empowering children and youth with physical disabilities, raising awareness about their needs and potential, and building more inclusive communities for all.

Later this month, community members are invited to join the first annual Curl for Kids Bonspiel, which will raise money for local Easter Seals programs and services.

“At Easter Seals Ontario, we believe that all children and youth with physical disabilities should be valued, respected, and heard,” said Kevin Collins, President & CEO of Easter Seals Ontario. “Our annual ‘March Is Easter Seals Month’ campaign is an opportunity for our communities to come together, unite behind this belief, and take steps towards a more inclusive, accessible, and equitable world for those with physical disabilities.”

The 100-year-old charity offers programs and services that help children and youth with physical disabilities achieve greater independence and pursue their dreams. According to a release from the organization, during the month of March, Easter Seals will launch various initiatives and activities in the Kingston community and across digital platforms to increase awareness and support for its programs and services so that more kids and families can benefit from them.

“The Kingston community has been a steadfast supporter of Easter Seals Ontario for many years, and we are grateful for their ongoing dedication,” said Linda Clouthier, Community Engagement Officer at Easter Seals Ontario in Kingston. “Each year, we are amazed by the generosity and resourcefulness of our community in their support of ‘March Is Easter Seals Month.’ We know that, together, we can make a real difference in the lives of kids with physical disabilities, and help them achieve greater independence and reach their full potential.”

Local ‘March Is Easter Seals Month’ initiatives happening in the Kingston community will include:

• First Annual Curl For Kids Bonspiel – Friday, Mar. 24, 2023, at Cataraqui Golf and Country Club.
• Paper Eggs campaign at participating stores. The organization asks the public to go online at the ‘March Is Easter Seals Month’ website and create their own fundraising team.

With the launch of MIESM, Easter Seals said that it will also announce its 2023 Provincial Easter Seals Ambassadors as youth representatives for the campaign and the organization. Now in its 76th year, the Provincial Easter Seals Ambassador program provides a platform for kids with physical disabilities to share their journeys and develop the skills to effectively use their voices to advocate for themselves and others. Through their advocacy, they can empower even more kids with physical disabilities to pursue their dreams and make their mark on the world.

Join Easter Seals Ontario this March to make a difference in the lives of children and youth with physical disabilities. The organization is asking everyone to show their support by following @EasterSealsON on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn, making a donation at MarchIsEasterSealsMonth.org, or registering a fundraising team. By taking part in MIESM, participants can make a direct impact on the lives of kids with physical disabilities and help build a more inclusive and accessible future for all.

Easter Seals Ontario has been a leading provider of programs and services for children and youth with physical disabilities since 1922. The organization is a registered charity, and offers a wide range of programs and services, including mobility and accessibility equipment funding, fully accessible summer camps, post secondary scholarships, youth ambassadors, and advocacy and public awareness. Easter Seals is only able to provide these programs thanks to the generous support of its donors and sponsors.

To learn more, visit EasterSeals.org