Supplied by the Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie…
New name, same great charities.
Due to the success of their Telethon 50/50 draw, the Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie has decided to continue monthly draws through 2020. The “Rotary At Work 50/50” will support amazing charities doing important work in our community. Tickets are on sale for May 15th’s draw, which will be in support of Easter Seals Ontario, as the club works towards making up the fundraising shortfall caused by the Easter Seals Telethon’s cancellation.
“Easter Seals Ontario currently has over $1 million in requests from families for essential equipment, so bottom line, there is a great need!” shared Carolyn O’Connor, local Easter Seals Ontario Development Officer, “Sault Ste. Marie generally raises between $90,000 and $100,000 just from the annual Easter Seals Telethon, but the broadcast was cancelled, so the club is dedicated to try to continue to do what it can to raise what it can to assist the families in getting the equipment the children need. The monthly 50/50 will help as right now, we can only reach out via technology.”
Ivy Adam, whose son Billy “Dozer” Adam was the Sault Ste. Marie Easter Seals Ambassador in 2014, knows the importance of access to equipment and the cost to families: “Easter Seals has been a very large part of our lives. When Billy was an infant, we learned early the extraordinary costs that accompany a child with special needs. As Billy grew, so did his needs and likewise, the costs of equipment, therapies, and even travel for appointments. Many people often don’t see or are aware of these costs until we’re faced with them first hand. Already overwhelmed, Easter Seals helped ease the financial burden and just as importantly, helped us feel a sense of community. Now In his early teens, Billy is still able to be involved physically and socially with his peers due to equipment Easter helped us to afford. We are extremely grateful for every goal Easter Seals has helped us achieve and surpass!”
Tickets can be purchased online a www.rotaryssm5050.ca. Caroline Dukes, winner of the Telethon 50/50, took home $8,420, and the club is hopeful that each month will see more supporters, bigger prize pots, and most importantly: more money going to deserving charities.