February marks the 21st Annual Easter Seals Shop&Care program at Food Lion stores.  Between February 15th – March 13th, shoppers will be encouraged to make a $1 donation during checkout.  Last year, shoppers overwhelmingly shared their support by contributing more than $2.3 million to the campaign. 

This year when shoppers donate at the register, they will receive a coupon booklet from Procter & Gamble and Kraft Foods worth $9.50 in money-saving coupons.  And, when shoppers redeem these special Shop&Care coupons, Proctor & Gamble and Kraft Foods will make an additional donation to Easter Seals up to $50,000 each!

Shoppers can also leverage their buying power when they purchase products from General Mills, My Essential Waters and Breyer’s Ice Cream.  Each company will make a donation to Easter Seals when these specially marked products are sold during the campaign period.  In all, nearly 100 manufacturers are supporting the Shop&Care campaign.

We encourage to you to show your support by shopping at your local Food Lion stores.  You can make a difference!

7-year old Colin, who was born with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome, is a graduate of the Easter Seals UCP Stepping Stones Children’s Center, and he continues to return to the center for therapy.

The staff and therapists at Stepping Stones made it possible for Colin to reach so many important milestones - sitting up, rolling over, crawling, pulling up, cruising, and walking with a walker. Now, when Colin returns to the Center for therapy, he takes steps on his own down the hallway! When asked what she wanted others to know about Easter Seals UCP, Colin’s Mom said:  “Easter Seals UCP is much more than just a daycare or learning center.  It’s a family that will see you though your darkest days.  The Stepping Stones Center staff is the greatest, and they have some of the biggest hearts of any people I have ever met.” 

Colin is an ambassador for the 2012 Sanford Walk With Me -- come out and walk with Colin!

Easter Seals UCP’s ACTT is a full spectrum, long-term community-based treatment model for adults with severe and persistent mental needs that have not been adequately treated by more traditional treatments.  The team consists of a team leader, psychiatrist, nurse, therapist, vocational specialist, substance abuse specialist and housing specialist to help manage each individual’s treatment plan.  The goal is to help individuals manage their mental health challenges and live more self-sufficient lives.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, mental health problems affect one in five American families.  In Mecklenburg County, despite growing mental health needs, state funding cuts have caused many mental health service providers to shut their doors.

“Mental health disorders account for four out of ten leading causes of disability,” said Willie Walker, Easter Seals UCP’s adult mental health manager for Mecklenburg County.  “ACTT provides a team of experts approach to address the identified needs of an individual with persistent mental health issues that require intensive interventions to remain stable in the community.  This sets us apart from other mental health service providers and improves patient outcomes.”

The typical outcomes found in individuals served by Easter Seals UCP’s ACTT are fewer hospitalizations, stable housing, effective medication management, gains in educational and vocational goals and an improved support system.

For more information on Easter Seals UCP’s ACTT services, visit Easter Seals UCP ACTT online or call (704) 333-8220 x1521.  

About Easter Seals UCP North Carolina & Virginia
Headquartered in Raleigh, NC with programs and services throughout North Carolina and Virginia, Easter Seals UCP is a lifelong partner to families managing disabilities and mental health challenges. The nonprofit serves more than 20,000 individuals and their families annually through an array of services. Easter Seals UCP enhances the quality of life for individuals and maximizes their potential for engaging in their communities.  For more information on Easter Seals UCP North Carolina & Virginia, please visit www.eastersealsucp.com.

Contacts

Willie Walker
(704) 333-8220 x1521
willie.walker@eastersealsucp.com

Richmond, VA… This week, Friendly Ice Cream Corporation launches its 31st annual ‘Cones for Kids’ campaign. The Valentine’s Day fundraiser will benefit 30 Easter Seals Camp Friendly’s programs, including  Camp Easter Seals UCP in New Castle, Virginia.

For a $1 donation, Friendly’s provides restaurant guests with five Valentine’s Day cards, redeemable for free Friendly’s Kids Cones. The campaign runs January 2 through February 13, 2012. 

Funds raised will support Easter Seals Camp Friendly’s programs essential to building a sense of independence and accomplishment for thousands of children annually. Easter Seals Camp Friendly’s  provides an opportunity for kids with disabilities to be included in regular camp activities like, boating and canoeing, swimming, archery, ropes courses, horseback riding, hiking, basketball and fishing.

Celebrating More Than 30 Years of Cones for Kids
Friendly’s successful ‘Cones for Kids’ campaign is an annual tradition where guests and employees across the restaurant chain help change the lives of thousands of children with disabilities through their efforts. The campaign has raised more than $27 million to date -- more than $675,000 in 2011 alone -- to benefit Easter Seals Camp Friendly’s program locations across the country.

"Friendly's Cones for Kids event is a fun way for kids to play an active role in the positive development of children faced with physical, mental and developmental challenges," said Alex Barge, Director  for Camp Easter Seals UCP, who noted that funds raised through the campaign will support Easter Seals Camp Friendly's programs. According to Barge, camp provides an opportunity for kids with disabilities to be included in regular camp activities like boating and canoeing, swimming, archery, ropes courses, horseback riding, hiking, basketball and fishing.

About Friendly Ice Cream Corporation
Friendly Ice Cream Corporation is a vertically integrated restaurant company serving signature sandwiches, entrees and ice cream desserts in a friendly, family environment with system-wide sales of $700 million and distribution through over 7,500 retail locations. For over 75 years, Friendly’s has been delighting guests.  Plans are currently underway to revitalize the restaurants and introduce new products to meet today’s customer’s needs. For additional information please visit www.friendlys.com.

About Easter Seals
Easter Seals is the leading non-profit provider of services for individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, physical disabilities and other special needs. For more than 90 years, we have been offering help and hope to children and adults living with disabilities, and to the families who love them. Through therapy, training, education and support services, Easter Seals creates life-changing solutions so that people with disabilities can live, learn, work and play. Support children and adults with disabilities at www.easterseals.com.

About Camp Easter Seals UCP
Camp Easter Seals UCP, located in New Castle, VA,  is designed to offer children and adults with disabilities the opportunity to enjoy fun and challenging activities in a supportive and cooperative atmosphere.  From campfire sing-a-longs and talent shows to canoeing, nature walks, swimming and arts & crafts, the Easter Seals UCP Virginia camping program provides the excitement and activity of a traditional summer camp program in a beautiful, accessible setting.  For more information about Camp Easter Seals UCP, visit www.campeastersealsucp.com.

Contacts

• Amy Beros
  amy.beros@nc.eastersealsucp.com

Twenty-three year old Tyler was born with Lowe Syndrome, a rare disorder affecting his muscle tone, eyesight, kidneys, and cognitive ability.  As a lifelong partner, Easter Seals UCP provided services to Tyler at an early age, and he continues to receive supports as an adult.

In fact, much of Tyler’s success in life is due to family support and services received from Easter Seals UCP. Despite many challenges, Tyler is happy and fills his days with things he loves: finding great joy in music,
nature, friendships, church, bowling and summer outings. He and those who love him are very proud of the milestones he has achieved so far in his young life.

As 2011 comes to close, we'd like to take a moment to wish you a peaceful and prosperous 2012.  2011 was indeed a year of extremes in markets, weather, politics and government retraction.  The human service industry, particularly for people managing disabilities and mental health challenges, had its share of extremes, too -- cycles of overreaction, under reaction, abrupt rate changes and recalibration of service definitions and training requirements.

Our focus this past year was to bring stability and continuity of care to citizens with developmental disabilities and/or mental health challenges across our communities.  And volunteers, board members, donors and staff rose to the challenge quickly and effectively. 

As we look towards 2012, we should all be excited with the opportunities that lie ahead and the chances we have to make every moment count for the people managing disabilities and mental health challenges.  We look forward to partnering with all our staff and supporters in 2012 to make North Carolina & Virginia the best places for people with disabilities and mental health challenges to live, learn, work and play.

There are only 36 hours left to make your tax-deductible, year-end gift!  Visit www.eastersealsucp.com to donate today.  Finish your 2011 by giving the gift of help and hope to childern and adults managing disabilities and mental health challenges.

Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year!

Are you still looking for gift ideas or stocking stuffers?  Why not make a gift in the name of a loved one to Easter Seals UCP?  Your tax deductible gift will ensure that children and adults managing disabilities and mental health challengs will live life without limits.  Make your tribute gift today!

The event showcased five cooking teams who competed for the best tasting barbecue.  Retired news anchor Charlie Gaddy and Side Dish food critic Deborah Miller served as judges and gave top prize to Sam Hobgood and Big Ed’s City Market team.  Hobgood generously donated his $250 prize money to Easter Seals UCP.

Attendees went on to enjoy an evening of barbecue sandwiches and live music from The Craig Thompson Duo. 

About Easter Seals UCP North Carolina & Virginia
Easter Seals UCP is a lifelong partner to families managing disabilities and mental health challenges. The nonprofit serves more than 20,000 children, adults and families in North Carolina and Virginia – 12 percent of those served live in the Triangle area.  Easter Seals UCP enhances the quality of life for individuals and maximizes their potential for engaging in their communities.

Contacts

• Jane Phillips
  jane.phillips@nc.eastersealsucp.com
  (919) 865-8724

Vincent F. is content with his life.  He has a clean and comfortable apartment, lives within a budget, maintains a savings account and makes sure his bills are paid on time.  But life has not always been kind to Vincent. 

In fact, he grew up in a home where using and selling drugs was commonplace and even acceptable, and where his untreated mental illness was attributed to the fact that he was “hard headed.”  As a young adult, Vincent became homeless.  Beset by hallucinations and sleeping in abandoned houses and even trash receptacles, Vincent’s mental illness resulted in actions that led to him being charged with a number of crimes and eventual commitment to a hospital for mental health treatment.  Reluctant to take medication and not really understanding his condition, Vincent’s life became a cycle of brief hospitalizations followed by his return to a destructive and debilitating lifestyle.

Finally, Vincent connected with an Easters Seals UCP Assertive Community Treatment Team that became his lifeline.  In his interaction with the ACT Team, Vincent was able to confront his medical, emotional and spiritual challenges and build a new life.  And finally, through Easter Seals UCP, Vincent is assured of long-term, community-based treatment for his severe and persistent mental health needs.

Vincent agreed to share his story with you in the hope that as you prepare for the holidays and your year-end giving, you will consider a gift to Easter Seals UCP.  We are a lifelong partner to thousands of people managing disabilities and mental health challenges, so that a gift you make today could not only change the life of a man like Vincent, but also a little girl with cerebral palsy who needs physical therapy, or perhaps a scared young teenager who desperately needs a foster home.

To make a year-end gift you can give online, or send cash or a check to: Easter Seals UCP North Carolina & Virginia, attn: Year-End Giving, 5171 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27612.  For other giving options, please contact Pamela Glazer via email at pamela.glazer@eastersealsucp.com or by phone at (919) 865-8630.

What better way to close out the old year than by giving a helping hand and the chance at a bright future to those who need it most?