Easter Seals BC/Yukon
3981 Oak St V6H 4H5 Vancouver, BC, Canada

Grab your 'virtual' paddles and join the Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club for the 40th Annual 'Pandemic' Peninsula Paddle For the Kids! This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Paddle For The Kids has gone virtual and fundraisers will be tracking their individual paddling, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, running, walking and other types of fitness they choose in their virtual online fundraise this year. For 40 years, members of the Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club have paddled for 10 l...ong and arduous hours taking a 75km journey from Brentwood Bay to their clubhouse on the Gorge. Their first crossing was done in 1982, in one 25-foot voyageur canoe with two crews of six paddlers. One crew would paddle to Port Angeles, while the other paddled back. Since then, they've raised over $370,000 for Easter Seals! DONATE or REGISTER NOW to fundraise and you'll get your own page to spread the word. You can even link your Strava account to record your exercise. Go to: www.paddleforthekids.ca Thank you Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club!

Here's a peak at the fun our campers are having at our virtual Spring Break Camps. Thank you Captain Keith at West Coast Aquatic Safaris for another great Whale Watching Tour!

We are so thankful to be sharing Cassidy's story of her summers at Easter Seals Camps in the Premier Issue of Fueler Canada Magazine. Every issue of FUELER will highlight a charity that has impacted Canadian communities, small and large. Thank you FUELER for your amazing support for kids and adults with disabilities! FUELER Canada Magazine is 200 pages of automotive lifestyle content that dives into the relationship between the automotive industry and our community. They cov...er supercars, classic car restoration and the nerve centre of the home the garage. Plus, car approved snacks and lifestyle choices you should be a part of! Issue No. 01 features guest interviews with: Michael Italiano, F1 performance coach to Daniel Ricciardo Fabienne Wohlwend, racing driver for W Series and Octane126 Jim Michaels, American TV producer Chef Vikram Vij, renowned chef and businessman from Vancouver Canada & many more! If you love supercars and original photography editorials this is the magazine for you. Purchase your copy at Indigo, Chapters and Coles or online at https://fueler.ca/cassidys-story/

Today is #WorldDownSyndromeDay and we join with those around the globe to ensure the voice of people with Down Syndrome, and those who live and work with them, grows louder. Never underestimate an individual just because they have a disability. The sky is the limit! #WDSD21 #WorldDownSyndromeDay

It’s #WorldAutismAwarenessDay and Easter Seals has been committed to providing fully inclusive camps for children and adults like Cassidy since we opened our first camp back in 1968. To see how important Easter Seals Camps are for children and adults with autism take a look at Cassidy's story: https://www.eastersealsbcy.ca/stories/cassidys-story/

Each year the Huus Family, in partnership with Children's Health Foundation of Vancouver Island award bursaries to support the education of students with disabilities. The purpose of the fund is to provide bursaries, in the range of $500 - $5,000 annually per recipient, to assist persons with disabilities to undertake or continue their post-secondary education at an accredited post-secondary institution in British Columbia. Bursaries may be used for items such as tuition fees..., textbooks, equipment, transportation, residence and support worker costs. If you know an individual with a disability, who is looking to begin or continue their post-secondary education and could benefit from financial support, we encourage you to share this information with them. Please visit https://islandkidsfirst.com/lisa-huus-bursary/ for more information on the story behind the Lisa Huus Bursary, eligibility requirements and the application process. The deadline for applications is May 31, 2021.

Last week Global BC visited our campers on their virtual tour with BC Egg farmer, Scott Janzen. Click below to take a look at the fun! #thankyoubcegg https://globalnews.ca//8b356214-9172-11eb-b83f-0242ac110/

Our virtual spring breakers had a great time creating with Victoria Robotics last week. Thank you to everyone on the Fix It 3491 team for making programming and building so much fun for our campers!

Our first virtual Spring Break Camps wrapped up today with a talent show and the kids had so much fun! We had a fabulous time watching everyone show off their amazing talents. Our virtual camps use online programming that is accessible by incorporating closed captioning, chat functions, and other accessible elements to allow campers to participate as independently as possible. Thank you campers for joining us for a fun filled couple of weeks!

Chip In For The Kids is always a fun couple of days, and though this year it won't look like past years, we will still be putting on our annual Christmas Tree Recycling event on Vancouver Island on January 2 & 3 with COVID-19 safety measures in place. You can choose to drop it off at one of the locations below, or have us pick it up at your house. Click here to register for a pick up spot: http://bit.ly/3h1XAOs It’s a great way to end the holiday season of giving! ... Victoria: * Tillicum Centre * Save-On-Foods Fort & Foul Bay * Save-On-Foods Saanich Centre * Westshore Town Centre * University Heights Shopping Centre Shawnigan Lake * Mason’s Store Duncan: *BC Forest Discovery Centre Thank you to all the Lion and Lioness Club members, along with volunteers from The Davey Tree Expert Company (Victoria locations) and Competition Tree Service (Duncan and Shawnigan Lake locations) for collecting the trees and donations.

During these past few months, we've had a lot of fun with the children, teens and adults who participated in our new music, art and and dance classes. Thank you to all the participants in the art class who shared their Christmas Card designs with us. They are beautiful and our hearts are full. #holidaycards #eastersealsathome

Help make a difference in the lives of persons with disabilities at Easter Seals BC/Yukon (ESBCY). Since 1952, ESBCY has offered programs and services to children with disabilities and their families. Building on decades of experience, Easter Seals BC/Yukon is a trusted charity and established leader in the support of the disabled community. In BC and the Yukon, children and families are supported and inspired through programs and services delivered at Easter Seals Camps and ...Easter Seals House in Vancouver. Role The Manager, Annual Giving will play a key role in ESBCY’s efforts to increase annual unrestricted giving from ESBCY’s primary constituents, with a focus on donor engagement. S/he will collaborate with the Director, Development in developing the annual strategy, and leading its execution. This role will be responsible for developing and implementing engagement and fundraising strategies to enhance and grow revenue from our annual donor community. As well as working closely with the Development team, this role also requires collaboration with Marketing and Program/Mission Delivery teams. The Manager, Annual Giving will be responsible for: Implementing offline fundraising and stewardship campaigns including planning, writing copy/ coordinating with writer, segmenting data, producing and coordinating direct mail, newsletters, and donor calls Develop, and maintain a cultivation plan, and materials for new monthly donors Develop and maintain stewardship plans for existing monthly donors and loyal donors Execute an engagement strategy for individuals that use ESBCY’s services Conduct testing on campaigns to refine knowledge and improve results Plan and coordinate small cultivation and stewardship events for annual donors Develop and generate analytical reports on campaigns and donors, providing and implementing recommendations to improve fundraising results Develop a comprehensive plan for the long-term program growth, solicitation and stewardship of planned giving prospects and donor Coordinate with graphic designers to develop and produce creative Liaise with marketing and program/mission delivery staff to ensure accurate and consistent messaging Support, participate in, and attend ESBCY’s signature fundraising events For a full outline of responsibilities, job description and to apply go to: https://www.eastersealsbcy.ca/about-us/careers/

It's the last day to get your bids in for the Vancouver Garden Club's online Auction to raise funds for a new garden at Easter Seals House. Make it a gift for you or someone special, knowing that your gift will be special even in more ways.... For our guests, it will become a retreat for quiet reflection, a hub for social gatherings, and a space filled with fun and laughter where children can forget about medical treatments and just play. For youth and young adults with disab...ilities, it will become part of our City Adventure Day Camp programming, and a space for learning and sharing ideas as part of our new Life-Skills Development program helping youth with disabilities navigate the complicated transition to adulthood. To bid visit: https://givergy.ca/GardenClubVancouver/

Ecclesiastical is proud to protect those who enrich the lives of others and equally proud to give back to the diverse communities we serve across the country. We’re delighted to announce the recipients of our 2020 Community Impact Grant, which we award under the auspices of our charitable trust owner, Allchurches Trust Ltd. We are very happy to support Easter Seals BC Yukon and their plan to assist youth with disabilities to be more prepared for school/work, independent livi...ng and a successful transition to adulthood." - David Huebel, President, Ecclesiastical Insurance. Thank you to Ecclesiastical Insurance Office plc for your support. This grant will help support the "Compass: Developing Life Skills for Young Adults with Diverse Abilities" program. This new program will be launching in 2021 and will help prepare students with diverse abilities for school/work, independent living and a successful transition to adulthood.

The Pacific Blue Cross Health Foundation congratulates Easter Seals House as it celebrates 65 years of service to BC children and families. We’re pleased we could help them renovate a guest suite and ensure they continue providing safe, comfortable lodgings for those travelling to Vancouver for medical care. ~ Jim Iker, Foundation Board Chair Thank you Pacific Blue Cross for your generous gift of $10,000 which will go towards renovating a suite at Easter Seals House. #HappyGuests

My son, Clark, was in school when I received a call that he needed medical attention. He had suffered a grand mal seizer and needed to be air lifted to Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, from our community in Penticton. Easter Seals House found me in one of my darkest hours. I am forever grateful for them taking us in, soothing our fears and saying it’s going to be ok. Easter Seals will always be a part of our lives. It’s so important to me, to ensure they stay around to supp...ort other families like mine, and that I give back for all they have done for us. I do as much as I can to help Easter Seals House give children and families their home-away-from-home. - Jean, Clark's mom Thank you, Jean, for sharing your story and for your continued support to Easter Seals House. It warms our heart to know we were here for you when you needed it the most. #EasterSealsHouse65 #grateful https://www.eastersealsbcy.ca/stories/jeans-story/

Today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities - a day to take time to recognize and celebrate the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities and to increase awareness and understanding of disability. In British Columbia, approximately 926,100 adults between the ages of 15 to 64 have a disability that limits their independence and quality of life. For many, a disability can affect how they see themselves and how they view their own abilities. At Easter Seals... Camps we give children and adults a chance to see their abilities in a new light. It's a place where they can try activities and experiences they can't get anywhere else, and to be able to do it in a place that teaches them kindness, compassion, support of one another. "To be able to go out in the world and be themselves. That is the most important thing. At camp nobody places any expectations on them and they just shine. It’s those experiences that come home and shape them, giving them the tools to help them with their day to day life challenges. - Gina, a camper mom #IDPD2020 https://youtu.be/1t6kqmuqXKI

Last Saturday, the Squamish Lions held a COVID safe Shred It for a Cause fundraising event at Camp Squamish. It was a tremendous success, and raised $3500 for camp! Thank you to the Squamish community who came out in full force in support of the event. A second event has already been planned for May 8th, 2021. #LionsClubs #Squamish

The Garden Club of Vancouver has added MORE items to their online auction in support of a new garden at Easter Seals House!! Have a ! Auction runs through to December 5th. We can't wait to share this garden with our guests. Thank you Garden Club of Vancouver!! #thankyou #givergy #ESHgarden https://givergy.ca/GardenClubVancouver/?controller=home

We couldn't agree more with what Treat Accessibly had to say about the Town of New Glasgow. "This is Incredible! Imagine if every city across Canada, next year, embraced an accessible Halloween. With an example like this it’s a great start!" #disabilityawareness #halloween #halloween2020 #REMAXCanada #homedepot

There are just 5 hours left for you to join us in #GivingTuesdayCA and help fund virtual Camp@Home Programs for children and adults with disabilities. These virtual day camps and online classes are programs they can take advantage of now, to help with isolation, social connection and respite, until we meet again at Summer Camp! Here's a look back at Camp Shawnigan in 2019! Donate today and your gift will be TRIPLE matched by Adera Development Corporation and the Andrew Mahon ...Foundation. https://www.eastersealsbcy.ca/2020yearendgiving/ https://youtu.be/1t6kqmuqXKI

A very Happy Thanksgiving Weekend to our families and friends. We are thankful for all the supporters who help us keep our families together at Easter Seals House and the smiles on our campers at Easter Seals camps! #HappyThanksgiving

"Thank you so much. You gave my family an affordable place to stay at Easter Seal House when I was hospitalized in Vancouver in 2019." For so many families, knowing Easter Seals House is here gives them a sense of peace and calmness. It’s their home away from home when they need to travel to Vancouver for medical treatment and care. It’s a safe, affordable home they can count on to stay, during very hard times. And we're located just blocks away from the best hospitals and t...reatment centres, so it makes it easy for our guests and caregivers to travel to and from. If you're traveling to Vancouver and need a place to stay, know that Easter Seals House is here for you. To make a reservation call 1-800-818-3666. https://www.eastersealsbcy.ca/how-we-he/easter-seals-house/

"Hello Easter Seals Friends and Family! Rhyan and Dale here, to update you on what our second set of fall programs have in store for those ages 6-18 years. Let’s talk Music Monday! We'll be playing games, some of the classics, like the much loved Rhythm Master, as well as new ones like Name That Instrument. We'll write music, going into what makes a song, and have sing-alongs to your favourite pop and Disney songs. We'll also spend time talking about the different ways th...at music makes us feel and practice talking about our feelings. Plus we'll spend some time with some of our books, generously donated by Indigo, using stories as inspiration for our jams. For Work of Art Wednesday we'll be making fun and beautiful crafts! Using a mix of our imagination and some wonderful stories, we will create incredible images of worlds previously unimagined to us. We'll spend some time learning about emotions and relationships, artists from around the world, and Canadian Indigenous history. And of course - we'll mix all of this in with a dance party or two! For Funky Fridays, we'll be focusing on different styles of dance, and making a dance we can all perform at the end of the season! The main techniques we will be focusing on will be Ballet, Jazz, and Hip Hop! We will do two sessions of each, and continue to work on our movement skills and rhythm throughout the program. We really hope to see you in the coming weeks!" ~ Dale and Rhyan Register today at: https://www.eastersealsbcy.ca/online-camps/

Next Saturday the Squamish Lions Club is hosting a Paper Shredding Event - By Donation - in support of Easter Seals Summer Camps. If you're in the Squamish area and have some old files and paperwork that need shredding, come on out. Date: Saturday, October 17th Time: 10am - 2pm (or until the truck is full)... Location: Easter Seals Camp Squamish 41015 Government Rd. Brackendale, Squamish * COVID-19 guidelines will be in effect. * You can put the shredding in your trunk & stay in your car! * Staples & paper clips are okay. * Shredding will be done on site. * Ends early if truck is full. Thank you Squamish Lions for your support!

Thank you once again to all the participants and sponsors of Drop Zone 2020. Together you raised a total of $156,800! Your support provides children, youth, and adults with camp programs that we are now able to offer year-round with our new Camp@Home initiative, with day camps in our City Adventure Day Camp, and with overnight summer camps that we hope we can offer next summer in a healthy and safe environment. Your support also goes to providing accommodations at Easter Seals House for families traveling to Vancouver for medical treatment. From all of us at Easter Seals, and from our campers and families, we say Thank You!

There are only 5 days left to donate to your favourite Drop Zone Superhero! We want to give another big shout out and thank you to all the participants who came out to Vancouver and Surrey and took the challenge of rappelling down an office tower. Because of your support we have raised more than $155,000 and we're still counting! These funds go to support vital programs and services for our community - thank you! If you haven't made a donation yet, there is still time. Searc...h for a Superhero on our fundraising website or donate to the general fund. #dropzonebc #dropzone2020 #eastersealsbcy https://eastersealsbcy.akaraisin.com/ui/dropzonebc2020

Here's your chance to play fun online games and make an impact on a children and adults with diverse abilities. Friends of We Care is pivoting their National Bowling Challenge to a Virtual Gaming Month this November with opportunities to challenge individuals and teams coast-to-coast, play fun online games, and raise money to help send kids with disabilities to virtual camps. Sign up as a participant and get access to an exclusive weekly online game, a ballot in their Grand Prize Draw, and fun weekly challenges. Learn more and sign up for the We Care National Games Month presented by Friends of We Care: https://friendsofwecare.org/we-care-national-games-month-2/

Only 3 spots left for this Monday's Virtual Online Day Camp for adults aged 19-49. It's our Fall One Day Wonder Camp. A Spooky/Fall themed day filled with camp games, a virtual field trip, crafts, dance and more! Time: 9am - 3pm Date: Monday, Oct 12th Cost: $25... Register at https://www.eastersealsbcy.ca/online-camps/

This year, our very own Marco Pasqua is sharing a new Halloween program called "Treat Accessibily" that's taking Halloween and flipping it on its head! Treat Accessibly’s goal is to make trick-or-treating safer, socially distance friendly and accessible to all by adopting a curb-side trick or treating solution for #Halloween2020. And they give you the tools to do it! In a COVID-19 recovery-focused Canada, the accessible trick-or-treating movement helps all families loo...k forward to a safer Halloween and B.C.’s recent Halloween Guidelines agree. FREE Treat Accessibly signs will be available at participating The Home Depot locations and from participating RE/MAX Canada agents. The FREE lawn signs and all the tips for Curb-Side Trick-or-Treating are also available at www.treataccessibly.com for everybody to see, use and print at their home. Treat Accessibly

Today is the last day to donate to your favourite Drop Zone Superhero and help support children and adults with diverse abilities. Thank you to all our superheroes who participated in Drop Zone 2020! Donations can be made at: www.dropzonebc.ca

We are very thankful to be able to share a generous donation from ZLC Financial. Due to the COVID pandemic, they made the difficult decision to postpone their 35th Annual Charity Golf Tournament this past summer, which was to benefit Easter Seals. But, in the true spirit of kindness, ZLC came forward with their own donation. "We are delighted to announce that in lieu of our event, we’ll be donating $3,000 to Easter Seals BC/Yukon so they can continue to offer and strengthen their specialized services, programs, and facilities for children with diverse abilities," - ZLC Financial Thank you so much!

We couldn't say it better! To all the Warriors like Jackson, today we celebrate you on this #WorldCerebralPalsyDay!

Leaving a lasting legacy is a wonderful way to support children, youth and adults with disabilities for generations to come. Including a gift to Easter Seals in your estate planning, no matter how big or small, will make a lasting difference and help continue to fund programs and services that will enable individuals with abilities into the future. To learn more about legacy giving visit: https://www.eastersealsbcy.ca/get-involved/leave-a-legacy/ #MakeaWillWeek #leavealegacy

Looking for something to do next Monday? Join us online for a Spooky/Fall themed day filled with camp games, a virtual field trip, crafts, dance and more! Adult Fall Virtual One Day Wonder Date: October 12th Time: 9:00am - 3:00pm... Ages: 19-49 years Cost: $25 Register at https://www.eastersealsbcy.ca/online-camps/

Registration has only been open for two days and our new Fall Online Classes and Camps for ages 6-49 are more than 50% full! Choose from: * Celebration Nights * Weekly Socials... * Day Camps * Music, Art and Dance Classes * Halloween Games & Party Night Registration is filling up quickly, so sign up soon. For more information and registration visit: https://www.eastersealsbcy.ca/online-camps/

You asked. We answered. We've added more virtual Online Classes and Camps for ages 6-49! Plus join us for Celebration Nights and a Halloween Games & Party Night. Learn some new skills, chat with your friends and party the night away. Various dates now through the end of December. For more information and registration visit: https://www.eastersealsbcy.ca/online-camps/

Did you know that for only $10/year you can become a member of Easter Seals and BC Lions Society for Children with Disabilities? Sign up before October 1st and join us at our virtual AGM in December. Becoming a member is a simple way to show your support. You’ll receive communications just for members, attend events, and see first hand how your support makes a difference. Join us today at https://www.eastersealsbcy.ca/membership/

It was great to see Lions Clubs supporting and volunteering at Camp Squamish this summer for two overnight work parties put together to help ensure its continued use. There was plenty to do with gutter cleaning, pruning, power washing, kitchen cleanup.... the list was never ending! At night, the Lions sat around the fire pit in the pavilion for some chit chat and good times. It was a much needed break from their homes, and a great opportunity to get back to basics during COVID-19. An interesting fact... the fire pit, was donated by the Lions Clubs in A2, back in the late 1980s. Thank you Lions!

Last week we had a very special delivery from a very special woman. Eleanor is 99 years young, and for the past few years she has knit toques for our guests at Easter Seals House. In honour of her age this year, she knit 99 toques. Wow that's incredible! As we head into the colder weather, we know are guests at Easter Seals House are just as thankful as we are for Eleanor's sweet generosity. ... Thank you Eleanor! #ThankfulThursday #99yearsyoung