is literally life-changing for some of our
children,” says Collins. “It gives them the
opportunity to play and meet new friends
and be all they can be."
FUNDRAISING INITIATIVES
Canadians want to help improve the lives
of people with disabilities. Easter Seals
makes that easy to do. The level of fund-
ing assistance may vary per year based on
availability of Easter Seals funds, so fund-
raising is instrumental for the organization.
Each year, fundraising initiatives are kicked
off with the annual Conn Smythe Sports
Celebrities Dinner. This year’s notable
guests of honour included Blue Jays past
President, Paul Beeston, Canadian tennis
star Dennis Shapovalov, Olympian gold
medalist Penny Oleksiak, hockey heroes
Eric Lindros and Johnny Bower, and many
more. Through ticket sales, sponsorship
and silent and live auctions, this year’s din-
ner raised over $330,000.
Opportunities to donate to Easter Seals
Ontario continue throughout the year. It’s
hard to think of a more fun-centric group of
events; there is the Celebrity Hockey Clas-
sics Series, Computer Charity Golf Tourna-
ment, Drop Zone (ever wanted to propel
down a 32-storey building? This one is for
you!), Sailing Regattas, the Toronto Maple
Leafs Annual Skate, Dancing with Easter
Seals Stars, and many, many more.
Of course, there is also the Easter Seals
Telethon. A Canadian institution at this
point, this year will be the 35th Telethon
event, and it will take place in six com-
munities throughout Ontario, including To-
ronto, Peterborough, Sudbury, Sault Ste.
MAY 2017
H
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