Spring at Safeway means it’s time to help out a pair of great charities.
In Thunder Bay, throughout the month of April, customers of the retail grocery giant will be asked for donations at the register, the money being split evenly between the local Easter Seals Chapter and Special Olympics Ontario Thunder Bay.
Last year the Support People with Disabilities campaign raised about $30,000, said Dawson Road Safeway manager Alex Siciliano on Wednesday, helping kick off the annual fundraising event.
“It’s a national campaign and we do it every year,” he said. “We’ve done it since 2008 and it’s a worthwhile cause. All the money stays in Northwestern Ontario and Western Canada, so the communities we raise the money in benefit from the money being raised here.”
Rhonda Harrison, the senior development officer for Easter Seals Ontario, said it costs about $2,000 to send a child to camp each summer, and the money is much needed.
“It’s quite expensive, but it’s a great experience for kids,” Harrison said. “It’s 10 days to be with everyone just like them. Everyone at the camp has a physical disability. It’s a fully accessible camp, and it’s a great experience for these kids.”
Easter Seals also provides financial assistance to families with children suffering from physical disabilities, to help cover the cost of equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, braces and communications devices.
Special Olympics provides sports programming for people of all ages living with intellectual disabilities.
The charity has operated in Thunder Bay for more than 25 years.
On Wednesday groups from several businesses and organizations around the city kicked off the campaign decorating spring umbrellas, which will be displayed at the store as a reminder to support the cause.
