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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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IMMEDIATE ATTENTION: COMMUNITY EDITORS
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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