Tag Archive for: Christmas

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Over 1000 Christmas Trees Chipped for Charity

Easter Seals’ Chip In for the Kids Tree Recycle raised over $16,000.

Vancouver Island, B.C. – January 18, 2023: Easter Seals BC/Yukon’s 33rd annual Christmas tree recycling fundraiser, Chip In for the Kids, took place last weekend and raised over $16,000 for Camp Shawnigan, a local summer camp for children and adults with cognitive and physical disabilities.

“The rain didn’t stop people from showing up, we had a great turn out again this year with over 1000 trees being recycled,” says Shannon Bernays, Manager of Community Partnerships at Easter Seals. “It’s a fun community event and with the help of volunteers from Competition Tree Service, Davey Tree Services and local Lions Clubs, we were able to raise much needed funds to support our overnight summer program at Camp Shawnigan.”

Over 1000 trees were dropped off at seven Vancouver Island locations from Victoria to Duncan, including Shawnigan Lake and Mill Bay.

“This fundraiser is in its 33rd year, and we’re so thankful for the continued support and donations that come from our community, so that kids and adults with disabilities such as autism, Down Syndrome, and Cerebral Palsy, can take a week away from their medical appointments and treatments, and have just a week of fun, summer camp activities,” adds Bernays. “It’s such an amazing week for our campers and we couldn’t do it without the donations and support that come from our community.”

Easter Seals will be running five weeks of overnight camp this July and August for children and adults with disabilities between the ages of 6 to 49. Registration opens online February 13th and you can find more information or make a donation at www.eastersealsbcy.ca.

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Grade 10 Boys from St. George’s school put on charity concert

$16,640 raised for children with disabilities 

December 6, 2022 – Vancouver, BC – Five students in Grade 10 at St. George’s School put on their second charity concert, raising $16,640 to help with an Easter Seals House room renovation project this year. 

Harry, Michael, Owen, Samuel and Eddy have a passion for music and giving back to their community, and with the guidance of their music professors, they have all experienced the immense power of music and feel its potential to change the world for the better.  

“Many children have met barriers to obtaining the resources and support they so desperately need, yet they aspire as much as we do to pursue their passion and be loved,” said all five boys. “We believe that with your help we can grow closer to a future where every child is given the opportunity to develop to their full potential.” 

After successfully raising nearly $9,000 for Easter Seals in 2021, this year’s concert grew bigger, with five additional guest performers joining the boys on stage that was held at the Koerner Hall, and sponsored by Tom Lee Music, Steinway & Sons, and Vancouver Academy of Music.  

“Everyone at Easter Seals is so appreciative for the amazing support, hard work and generosity from these wonderful five boys, their special guest performers, the wonderful student volunteers, Cathy and everyone involved. The concert is not only full of talent, but is so inspiring and heartwarming at the same time”, says Shannon Bernays, Manager of Community Partnerships at Easter Seals.  

“The funds that this concert raises are going to Easter Seals House which is a home-away-from-home for people need a place to stay when they have to travel to Vancouver for medical care and treatment,” adds Bernays. “We have been providing this home for over 65 years and it continues to be an important and affordable place that many people and families need, in what can be a very stressful time when they arrive in Vancouver.” 

In the spirit of the season, the boys are asking the community to consider a donation to Easter Seals House and make this special time of year a little more merry and bright for families.  

Donations can be made at www.eastersealsbcy.ca.  

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About Easter Seals BC/Yukon and BC Lions Society for Children with Disabilities 

Easter Seals BC/Yukon is one of British Columbia’s legacy charities and is operated by the BC Lions Society for Children with Disabilities (Society) to help individuals with diverse abilities. Since 1947, the Society has provided programs and services to families and persons with diverse abilities that help improve their quality of life. Over 75 years, the Society has helped over 1,000,000 families in need through transportation services, child health research, Easter Seals summer camps, Easter Seals House, post-secondary bursaries at seven regional colleges or universities, community access services, and patient care programs.  

 

Media contact: 

Jennifer Vasarhely, Marketing & Communications Manager 

Easter Seals BC/Yukon 

C: 604.551-8809 

jvasarhely@eastersealsbcy.ca