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Easter Seals Nova Scotia celebrates Weston Bakeries’ “Wonder”ful donation.

December 14, 2012 – AMHERST – Employees of Amherst Weston Bakeries demonstrate again, their everyday kindness.
In 2012, employees at Amherst’s Weston Bakeries chose to adopt Easter Seals Nova Scotia’s Camp Tidnish and the needs of its camping program as part of their annual Wonder+ Cares fundraising campaign. Each year Weston Bakeries employees across Canada select a local children’s charity that helps kids get active or eat better and the Amherst plant prides itself on always raising the most funds. In October they raised $38,262.48, with more than $22,000 coming directly from pledges donated by warm-hearted employees.

“It’s great to hear the fellow employees talk about the excitement that came from having Camp Tidnish as our charity this year and all the great things the Camp wanted to do, and now can afford to do because of us,” celebrated Susan Higgins, Human Resources/Health & Safety Manager.
Camp Tidnish was chosen because it offers a great deal of both indoor and outdoor activities for children with physical disabilities who would not normally be able to participate in these activities.

This year, the employees’ goal was to raise $25,000 for Camp Tidnish. They smashed through the original number and raised $38,262.48. This amount will be matched by George Weston Limited dollar for dollar for a grand total of $76,524.96.

Employees raised money in a variety of ways including going door-to-door selling chocolate bars, holding a Walk-a-thon and partnering with other local businesses to hold weekly charity BBQs. Several employees also raised money by travelling to Halifax to sell food items at Easter Seals’ first annual Oktoberfest.

“It gives me great pride to be able to give this donation from our employees back to the community,” expressed Amherst Weston Bakeries plant manager Tyler McLeod. “It’s good to see such great programs within our community.”

McLeod helped to motivate coworkers when he and Peter Hamel, Production Manager, both uneasy with heights, offered to participate in Easter Seals’ Drop Zone event held in Halifax. Drop Zone sends participants rappelling down the 285 foot Hollis Street building. Hamel and McLeod challenged employees to sell 50 boxes of chocolate bars in one week; if the challenge was met, Hamel and McLeod would rappel. Employees met the challenge, raising over $3000 through the sale of chocolate bars alone.

The money will be used at Camp Tidnish, which is a fully accessible, residential camp for Nova Scotians with physical disabilities located just outside of Amherst. Tidnish is committed to providing top-quality experiences, adventures and independence to its campers in a supportive environment.

“We’re able to provide these camping experiences because of people who care. Because of people like the staff at Weston Bakeries,” praised Stephen Maltby, Easter Seals Nova Scotia board member. “We’ve spent 2012 celebrating our extraordinary 75-year history of delivering outstanding summer programs to people with disabilities, but now it is time to focus on the future, and this tremendous support by Weston Bakeries through their Wonder+ Cares program, helps us to do just that.”

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Cheque presentation:
December 14, 2012 at 10 a.m.
Weston Bakeries Limited
35 Tantramar Crescent
Amherst, Nova Scotia B4H 4J6

For more information contact: Elizabeth Murphy – Director of Development
Easter Seals Nova Scotia
Tel: 902-453-6000 x224
Cell: 902-817-9999
E-mail: e.murphy@easterseals.ns.ca
www.easterseals.ns.ca

On September 24th, 25th & 26th Easter Seals Nova Scotia had its 8th Annual Drop Zone Event. Participants rappelled 1801 Hollis & Duke Street on September 24th & 26th in support of children, youth and adults with physical disabilities. Before the rain set in on Saturday September 24th “We were able to get 12 participants down the building” says Easter Seals Events Coordinator, Courtney Zylstra.

The remaining 26 participants conquered all 23 storeys of 1801 Hollis on Monday, September 26th. Despite the rain on Saturday, it did not put a damper on the fun had by participants who had spent the last 9 plus months working hard to fundraise in support of Easter Seals Programs including Job Skills Training, our accessible Camp Tidnish that serves over 300 campers; and our Wheelchair Recycling Program that tries to ensure everyone who needs mobility equipment has access.

Last year, Easter Seals Nova Scotia assisted over 380 adults finance wheelchairs and other medical equipment needed to improve their health and safety. The high cost of mobility devices is a good reason to participate in Easter Seals Events – so together we can help people who otherwise would not be able to afford needed equipment.

Easter Seals Nova Scotia had a very special young man rappel this year, 22 year old Michael Coady rappelled 1801 Hollis meeting his wheelchair at the bottom. Michael Coady is a former New Leaf Enterprises summer student, he is an avid sailor, wheelchair basketball player and rugby player. It was truly miraculous to see Michael lower himself down the harbour side of 1801 Hollis!

Sunday September 25th – the sun shone through the clouds and 53 more Drop Zone Participants rappelled the Dartmouth tower of the Macdonald Bridge to the pedway below. Fans, friends and families came out to support rappellers! Some of Easter Seals sport wheelchairs were on site to give spectators the opportunity to go for a spin and test their skills in a mini obstacle course. In total Easter Seals 8th Annual Drop Zone Event had 89 participants, collectively raising over $105,000.00 to support those in our community with a physical disability.

A HUGE thank you to our local partner Halifax Harbour Bridges and our National Sponsors CREIT, RAT – Remote Access Technology and Amway.

Also thank you to all of our local sponsors Optimyz Magazine, Z103, Live 105, TD Canada Trust, CIBC and Clearwater Seafoods.

To see photographs and video from Drop Zone 2011 please visit easterseals.ns.ca or visit our facebook page http://facebook.com/ESnovascotia.

Drop Zone 2011 Superhero List

  Share on Facebook ]]> http://192.190.86.104/~emurphy/test_site/?feed=rss2&p=1593 0 http://192.190.86.104/~emurphy/test_site/?p=1456 http://192.190.86.104/~emurphy/test_site/?p=1456#comments Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:26:26 +0000 http://www.easterseals.ns.ca/?p=1456 Easter Seals DROP ZONE hit Halifax September 18, 2009 on a beautiful sunny day – with a little wind! 70 excited (and nervous!) participants rappelled 23 stories at 1801 Hollis St!

Congratulation to all the superheros who conquered their own fears to make their leap into action!! In total these individuals raised $120 000 for Easter Seals Nova Scotia!
 

Click here to view photos from Drop Zone September 18, 2009:
 

Click here for a list of our 2009 superheros.

In Photo: Barry Saunders, Mike Crosby,
Samantha Budd, Tom Merriam
 

Raffle winner Michael Edwards takes home his own Veloteq Scooter! Many thanks to our sponsors, volunteers, and especially to our RAT crew for your expertise and calming reassurance to our superheros!

RAT
CREIT
Nutralite
West Jet
iai
Airfire
Global Maritimes
Heather Crosby
Michelle Doucette
Bryan Rubarth

Update:

Stuart is unable to rappel on September 18 due to a family emergency. Check out his new book Extreme Vinyl Cafe and new CD Planet Boy

 Nova Scotia Wheelchair Recycling Program

Abilities Foundation of Nova Scotia, in partnership with the Department of Community Services, has successfully completed three years of the development and implementation of two wheelchair funding demonstration projects, one serving qualifying children to age 18 and the second for qualifying

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