Easter Seals hoping to bounce back after tough year

It's no secret that 2020 was a tough year, and the Easter Seals Society of P.E.I. certainly felt it.

After expenses, the group only made $40,000 that's aboutone third of what itusually collects.

The downturn in donations was largely due to the fact there was no school, no ambassadorschool tourand very littlefundraising as a result.

"It was a tough year all around," saidBill Martin, chair of the Easter Seals campaign.

Martin saidfewer donations meanless support forprograms for children with disabilities.

"We can't send them money we don't have."

Ambassador will get 3-year appointment

Martin said it's not just about the financial loss but the loss of experience for the Easter Seal's ambassador,VaedaMatheson.

Thegood news is they've reappointed her for a three-year term, which may help her do a school tour eventually, as it's unlikely there will be a 2021 tour.

"We owe it to her," Martin said.

"She'll be the only Easter Seals ambassador in perhaps in all of Canada who has served for three years."

'I'm so excited to do it again'

Vaeda,who has overcome many more challenges than a cancelled school tour, isas bubbly as ever, and focused on what's ahead.

"I'm so excited to do it again when COVID is over," she said.

The nine-year-old West Kent studentfromCharlottetown has cerebral palsy.

Shealso has her own YouTubechannel.

She said it was a "bummer" when the school tour was cancelled but she didget to attend some hockey fundraisers and luncheons.

"I just don't worry," she said.

She said she really wants everyone to know it's OK to be different.

"I want everyone to follow their heart and do what they want to do, because then they would be themselves."

Ambassador with a big heart

Her mom, Lorrie Jollimore, saidVaeda was unable to move her left side as a baby, but by age three, she wasable to walk.

She saidVaedahas gained a lot of movement throughphysio andoccupational therapy.

We're going to branch out far beyond what we've done in the past. Bill Martin

"As a parent it's just awesome to watch and witness," Jollimore said.

Jollimore said her daughter has a knack for makingpeople feel better.

"She has the biggest heart and is a very caring little friend to many," she said.

Corporate focus

A paperegg campaign will begin the second week of March, where people can buy paper eggs froma number of retail locations to show their support.

Martin said it's expanded to 12 new locations.

The group will also be seeking out many more corporate sponsors.

"We're going to branch out far beyond what we've done in the past."

He said theyalso recently found out the group will receive close to $60,000 from a national Easter Sealsgroup, which will go a long way to helping the campaign this year.

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