$1 campaign benefits over 100,000 people with disabilities
RALEIGH, NC – Mia is a “miracle.” Matthew is “thriving.” Jayden is “confident.” Avyn is “determined.”
That’s how parents of children who face challenging disabilities describe the progress they have made through support and services from Easter Seals.
Helping to make services like that possible each year for over 100,000 people with disabilities is Shop&Care, a month-long program that invites Food Lion shoppers to donate $1 to Easter Seals.
Those small contributions add up to make a big impact, helping children, adults and families living with disabilities get the care and support they need to live independent lives.
Consider Mia. Born with a condition that affects brain development and keeps her from grasping objects, swallowing, speaking or communicating, this four-year-old has attended an Easter Seals Children’s Center for nearly a year, getting support and encouragement from her teachers, therapists and classmates, and giving her mother hope she will one day speak and walk.
“She has already surpassed the doctor’s expectations and we expect nothing short of a miracle for the rest of her life,” her mother says.
Or consider Matthew. Diagnosed with a developmental brain disorder that can result in malformation of the skeleton and progressive hearing loss, this 14-year-old is a published author, has learned to play the piano, and has written seven music compositions. He and his family have received home support, personal care and respite from Easter Seals.
“Because of these services, Matthew has become very productive in his community and beyond,” his mother says.
From February 13 to March 12, Food Lion shoppers may donate $1 at checkout. That donation gives the donor $9.50 in coupons from Proctor & Gamble and Kraft Foods. General Mills will donate up to $50,000 for purchases of specially marked boxes of its cereals, and Food Lion will donate up to $250,000 for purchases of My Essentials water. www.shopandcare.com
Shop&Care, which also offers specially marked products from over 100 manufacturers, has raised over $33 million since 1991, including a record-high $4.5 million last year.
“We are grateful to the Food Lion family and their caring customers for making a difference in the lives of children, adults and families managing disabilities and mental health challenges,” says Connie L. Cochran, President and CEO of Easter Seals UCP North Carolina & Virginia.
“We are tremendously proud of our 22-year relationship with Easter Seals,” said Sherrii Webb, community relations manager of Food Lion. “From our management team down to our front line staff, we all are committed to raising awareness and funds for children and adults living with disabilities in our communities. The teamwork and sense of pride our staff demonstrates during the Shop&Care promotion is inspiring. We look forward to a very successful campaign.”
About Easter Seals
Easter Seals is the leading, national non-profit provider of services for individuals living with autism, developmental, physical and mental disabilities and other special needs. For 90 years Easter Seals has offered help and hope to children and adults living with disabilities and to the families who love them. For more information, visit www.shopandcare.com.
About Food Lion
Food Lion, based in Salisbury, N.C., is a subsidiary of Delhaize America, the U.S. division of Brussels-based Delhaize Group (NYSE: DEG) and operates more than 1,200 supermarkets. The company employs approximately 57,000 associates delivering quality products, low prices and service to customers in 11 Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states. For more information, visit www.foodlion.com.
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CONTACT:
Amy Beros, Easter Seals UCP North Carolina & Virginia
(919) 865-8840
amy.beros@eastersealsucp.com
Benny L. Smith, Food Lion
(704) 310-4077
blsmith@foodlion.com
Robert B Butler | PR | www.NCPressRelease.org | www.RBButler.com