Easter Seals Ontario

Throughout #NationalVolunteerWeek, we have been highlighting a few of the incredible individuals who have made a truly meaningful impact on Easter Seals Ontario and our community through their volunteer contributions. Today, we would like to recognize a very important volunteer from Toronto who has devoted 40 years to Easter Seals Ontario, Celeste D’Agostino. ❤️ Celeste's dedication and commitment to supporting events including the Toronto Maple Leaf Skate and the Conn Smythe Sports Celebrities Dinner and Auction showcases her passion for giving back to the community. Celeste's warm presence and genuine care for others have made her a beloved figure among supporters, staff, and children alike. In a world that can often feel uncertain, Celeste's familiar face serves as a beacon of comfort and reassurance for all who know her. She is a great reminder for us all about the true power of kindness and human connection when it comes to making a difference in our world. Thank you, Celeste, for all your years of volunteering and helping to make a more accessible world. Your dedication has truly made a difference in the lives of the children we support. Your kindness and compassion shine through in all that you do, and your impact will be felt for years to come. Thank you for being a beacon of hope and positivity for those in need. #HelpingKidsBEKIDS #EasterSealsOntario

Throughout National Volunteer Week, we are shining a light on the incredible contributions of our volunteers who make a profound impact on the lives of children and youth with physical disabilities. Today, we recognize Shannon Douglas from Grey Bruce, who has dedicated six years to volunteering for Easter Seals Ontario. Shannon's involvement with Easter Seals Ontario started when he participated in the Grey Bruce Celebrity Hockey Classic. Here, his passion for Easter Seals Ontario's mission was sparked through meeting the many children and families present at the event. It was this impactful experience that inspired his dedication to positively impacting the lives of children and youth with physical disabilities. Shannon's journey as a volunteer has been nothing short of remarkable! Starting as a team captain, and continuing on to play a pivotal role on the Celebrity Hockey Classics committee, Shannon has been a key figure in rallying the Grey Bruce community in support of Easter Seals Ontario. His talent for uniting individuals towards a shared goal has greatly impacted Easter Seals Ontario and the children and families we serve. Shannon is a remarkable leader whose achievements speak volumes. Through his authentic enthusiasm and dedication, he consistently motivates others to support Easter Seals Ontario and create a significant impact. Thank you, Shannon! #EasterSealsOntario #HelpingKidsBEKIDS

As we continue to celebrate #NationalVolunteerWeek, today we are delighted to spotlight Louise Dionne. Louise Dionne is a dedicated Easter Seals volunteer in Sudbury, Ontario. Committed to her community, family and friends, she is a volunteer who supports the Sudbury office by attending Bingo at Boardwalk Gaming in support of raising funds for essential mobility equipment. We are happy to call Louise a part of our team and thank her for her service and commitment to our organization. Together we are making a difference! #EasterSealsOntario #HelpingKidsBEKIDS

Red Shirt Day™ is on May 29, 2024! Our 2024 Provincial Ambassadors, Chloe and Shamil, are passionate about building a more inclusive world for kids with disabilities. This week we're sharing why Red Shirt Day™ matters to them. Here's what Chloe has to share: "People with disabilities want to be treated the same as everyone else. We don’t want to be stared at because we look different or use a wheelchair. Wearing a red shirt shows your support and helps people understand that we can all make changes to make everyone feel comfortable in their environment." - Chloe You can make a difference for Chloe, Shamil, and countless Easter Seals kids! Purchase an official Easter Seals Ontario Red Shirt Day™ shirt (now available in French!) to show your support at: https://ow.ly/8kmF50RhlgC. #RedShirtDay #Accessibility #Inclusion #Equity #HelpingKidsBEKIDS#EasterSealsOntario

Red Shirt Day™ is on May 29, 2024! Our 2024 Provincial Ambassadors, Chloe and Shamil, are passionate about building a more inclusive world for kids with disabilities. This week we're sharing why Red Shirt Day™ matters to them. First up, here's what Shamil has to share: "This day, for me as well as countless others, represents hope and progress on the path to inclusion. By taking part, you are showing your solidarity with people with disabilities all over the world. We appreciate what you are doing in promoting more accessibility and inclusive societies." - Shamil You can make a difference for Chloe, Shamil, and countless Easter Seals kids! Purchase an official Easter Seals Ontario Red Shirt Day™ shirt (now available in French!) to show your support at: https://ow.ly/8kmF50RhlgC. #RedShirtDay #Accessibility #Inclusion #Equity #HelpingKidsBEKIDS#EasterSealsOntario

This #NationalVolunteerWeek, we're highlighting and extending our deepest gratitude to our volunteers who selflessly gives their time and energy to make a difference. Today, we acknowledge Sheldon Hubbard from Kingston, who has dedicated three years of volunteer service to Easter Seals Ontario. ❤️ A deeply kind and thoughtful person, he always ensures kids and families are having a good time at all events he is a part of. Sheldon advocates like no other and has made a huge impact in awareness in the Kingston community. Thank you, Sheldon, for always going above and beyond! Your innovation and creative spirit has been a true asset - always finding fresh ways to garner new support and spread awareness for Easter Seals Ontario programs and services. #EasterSealsOntario #HelpingKidsBEKIDS

Join us in celebrating the heart and soul of Easter Seals Ontario during #NationalVolunteerWeek ❤️ Follow along this week as we honour the incredible contributions of our volunteers who make a profound impact on the lives of children and youth with physical disabilities. Today we're spotlighting Matt Villella from Thunder Bay, a dedicated supporter of Easter Seals for more than 20 years. “I volunteer for Easter Seals because it is a long-standing organization and I really love what Easter Seals is all about. It makes me feel like I am giving back when I see the smiles on the children’s faces,” says Matt. Matt has volunteered in countless Easter Seals events, from the Celebrity Hockey Classics to Snowarama, and many other Thunder Bay initiatives. His commitment to supporting local events and charities has not gone unnoticed. He is always willing to lend a helping hand and bring smiles to those around him. His dedication to making a positive impact in Thunder Bay is a testament to his generous spirit and his genuine care for the community. Matt is always ready to take on any necessary tasks. Whatever needs to be done Matt is there! We extend our gratitude to Matt for his unwavering dedication and hard work in support of Easter Seals Ontario. Thank you, Matt! Find you how you too can get involved at: https://lnkd.in/e4TY-XGg. #EasterSealsOntario #HelpingKidsBEKIDS

Meet Matthew! As a baby, Matthew was diagnosed with a rare form of epilepsy that causes seizures when he sleeps. Now 13 years old, he continues to experience these seizures. Despite his condition, Matthew enjoys having fun and moving around like any other child, enjoying walks with his family using a wheelchair outdoors and a walker indoors. Because of Matthew's condition, he is non-verbal and relies on various devices to support his mobility throughout the day. Thanks to the generosity of Easter Seals donors, Matthew's mom, Melanie, was able to buy a new stairlift that enables him to move safely and comfortably on the stairs. “It has been a huge, huge change. We would always have to worry about getting him upstairs by a certain time in case he started to get tired, or he would have to miss out on parts of his daily routine if we couldn’t get him upstairs.” The new stairlift enhances Matthew's safety and removes barriers. “Now when it’s time for bath, he hops on and we bring him upstairs.” Thanks to donations, Matthew's family can stay in their familiar home, making his life easier and safer. Together, we can continue to make stories like Matthew’s possible, truly #HelpingKidsBEKIDS! #EasterSealsOntario #Accessibility #Disability

Thank you to Sid Seixeiro, Meredith Shaw and Devo Brown from Breakfast Television for joining us at the 73rd annual Conn Smythe Dinner last week in support of children with physical disabilities. 💙 We extend a heartfelt thanks to the talented and hilarious Sid Seixeiro who captivated the room once again this year as the host of the Conn Smythe dinner program! The evening was filled with many unforgettable moments, including the introduction of our 2024 Provincial Ambassadors, Chloe and Shamil, and we were deeply moved by the overwhelming generosity and commitment shown by the over 800 attendees to helping kids with physical disabilities succeed. 🦼❤️ Watch Meredith and Devo recap the evening: https://ow.ly/pNzF50R5QwO. #HelpingKidsBEKIDS #ConnSmytheDinner #EasterSealsOntario #Toronto #BreakfastTelevision City TV

As March comes to a close, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who joined us in celebrating #MarchIsEasterSealsMonth! 💛 Thank you for following along as we spotlighted the stories of Aspen, Brooke, Niamh, Lorenzo, and Madelyn and showcased the challenges faced by children and youth with physical disabilities as well as the impact of Easter Seals Ontario programs and services. Your support, engagement, and commitment to making a difference in the lives of kids with physical disabilities have truly warmed our hearts. Together, we've made strides in promoting accessibility, inclusion, and building stronger communities. Thank you for being part of this journey, demonstrating your dedication to investing in the future of our youth. Your involvement echoes the spirit of Easter Seals Ontario – creating a world where every child can experience boundless possibilities. Together, we see the ability in disability! #EasterSealsOntario #HelpingKidsBEKIDS