CALGARY, March 28, 2013 /CNW/ - Jointly today Easter Seals Canada and Special Olympics Canada have launched a fundraising and awareness building campaign in support of Canadians with physical and intellectual disabilities. The two charities will partner with Canada Safeway stores throughout the month of April with the hope of educating thousands of Canadians and encouraging financial support for their programs.
Last year, over $1.6 million was raised during the campaign which sent hundreds of kids with disabilities to Easter Seals camps and provided support for local programs offered through Special Olympics.
2013 Easter Seals Ambassador Jacob McGregor, 19, has Spastic Quadriplegia and many fond memories of attending Easter Seals Camp. "Camp Horizon gave me an enjoyable break, offered me the opportunity to make many new friends and a feeling of freedom provided by the accessible giant swing," said Jacob.
Special Olympics Athletes Dean and Debbie Pelletier are both long-term Safeway employees and like working for a company that supports people with disabilities. "We have both attended lots of Special Olympics events and competitions and we know that our company supports what we are doing both in our stores and on the field," said Dean and Debbie. Last year over 35,000 Special Olympics athletes participated in a variety of sports programming throughout the country.
"Helping our neighbours living with a diverse range of abilities has long been a Safeway priority," said Canada Safeway President and Chief Operating Officer Chuck Mulvenna. "As a company that proudly employs hundreds of people living with disabilities, Canada Safeway directly benefits from the incredible work of these two important organizations."
Each year Safeway stores dedicate the month of April to raising funds and bringing awareness in support of people with disabilities. From March 29 through April 30, Canada Safeway customers will be invited to make a donation of $2.00 at any Safeway store and in return receive 5 AIR MILES Reward Miles. 100% of the funds raised during the campaign will support Easter Seals Canada and Special Olympics Canada. To date, Safeway stores across North America have raised more the $119 million in support of organizations that assist people with developmental and physical disabilities.
Follow the campaign on Facebook (Canada Safeway) and Twitter (@CanadaSafeway/#SafewayAbility)
MEDIA BACKGROUNDER
Easter Seals and Special Olympics Team Up with Canada Safeway
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ABOUT EASTER SEALS™ www.easterseals.ca
"We are honoured to partner with a philanthropic company that works hard each year to raise funds for our programs, raise profile for our cause and help all Canadians with disabilities reach their full potential," said Max Beck, CEO for Easter Seals Canada.
BACKGROUND: Easter Seals is dedicated to fully enhancing the quality of life, self-esteem and self-determination of Canadians with disabilities. More than 146,000 Canadians and their families annually access programs and services provided by Easter Seals organizations across Canada, the best known of which are Easter Seals camp programs. Other services include active living opportunities and the provision of specialized equipment such as mobility aids, assistive technology, adaptive computers, augmentative communication devices and adaptations to homes and vehicles for wheelchair accessibility. Easter Seals works to ensure that everyone with a disability has access to the equipment, services and recreational opportunities they need to enjoy a high quality of life.
ABOUT SPECIAL OLYMPICS CANADA www.specialolympics.ca
"We are grateful to Canada Safeway and its customers for their generous support of our efforts to enrich the lives of Canadians with an intellectual disability," said Lindsay Glassco, president and CEO of Special Olympics Canada.
BACKGROUND: Established in 1969, the Canadian chapter of this international movement is dedicated to enriching the lives of Canadians with an intellectual disability through sport. Operating year-round in all Canadian provinces and territories except Nunavut, this grassroots movement reaches beyond the sphere of sport to empower individuals, change attitudes, and build communities. From two-year olds enrolled in Active Start to mature adults, there are more than 35,000 children, youth, and adults with an intellectual disability registered in Special Olympics programs across Canada, and they are supported by 16,542 volunteers, including more than 12,000 trained coaches. For more information, please follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@SpecialOCanada).
ABOUT CANADA SAFEWAY www.safeway.ca
"Helping our neighbours living with a diverse range of abilities has long been a Safeway priority," said Canada Safeway President and Chief Operating Officer Chuck Mulvenna. "As a company that proudly employs hundreds of people living with disabilities, Canada Safeway directly benefits from the incredible work of these two important organizations."
BACKGROUND: Canada Safeway, a wholly owned subsidiary of Safeway Inc. operates 224 stores across Western Canada and Northwestern Ontario. Safeway Inc. is a Fortune 100 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America, based on sales. The company operates 1,644 stores in the United States and western Canada and had annual sales of $44.2 billion in 2012. The company's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SWY.
Follow the campaign on Facebook (Canada Safeway) and Twitter (@CanadaSafeway/#SafewayAbility)
Image with caption: "2013 National Safeway Disabilities Campaign Kickoff (CNW Group/Special Olympics Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130328_C9039_PHOTO_EN_24887.jpg
SOURCE: Special Olympics Canada
Easter Seals Canada www.easterseals.ca
Name: Parag Tandon ([email protected])
Phone: 416-932-8382 x 228
Special Olympics Canada www.specialolympics.ca
Name: Allison Love ([email protected])
Phone: 416-927-9050 ext. 4312
Canada Safeway www.safeway.ca
Name: Betty Kellsey ([email protected])
Phone: 403-730-3511
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