The famous Easter 'Seal', one of several sent to Canadian households this month.

It may be winter but Easter Seals is thinking spring and summer. Retailers are gearing up to sell Paper Eggs in March and April, the spring direct mail campaign is on its way and participants of the Easter Seals' 24 Hour Relay and Easter Seals' The Drop Zone are ramping up their fundraising efforts.

The annual Paper Egg campaign launches March 8^th in Atlantic Canada and March 19 in Ontario and the West, ending on Easter day, April 8^th. Easter Seals welcomes back its stalwart supporters, SAAN as National Sponsor and Sobeys West and Lawtons as Regional Sponsors. They and local retailers are poised to surpass their impressive fundraising in 2006. Collectively they raised $684,000. In 2007, the goal is to raise $800,000.

During the campaign, customers are asked to purchase a Paper Egg for $2 ($1 in Saskatchewan), to write their name on the egg for display in the store. All proceeds go to Easter Seals programs and services in the province where they are raised.

Easter Seals is pleased announce that Montreal will re-launch its 24 Hour Relay this year. To assist with recruitment in Montreal and other participating cities, Easter Seals has gone to the movies. Movie goers at Cineplex, Galaxy and Famous Players theatres will see the Relay advertisement prior to the movie.

Through this longstanding event, more than 25-years old, recreational and corporate teams fundraise for months, holding barbecues, poker games, golf tournaments, lotteries and the like. Then in June they come together to compete in a race that lasts 24 hours. One person must be on the track at all times. Plenty of sports and wacky activities keep team members occupied when they are not on the track. Participating cities and dates are:

Victoria (June 2 & 3), Vancouver (June 16 & 17), Calgary (June 9 & 10), Edmonton (June 23 & 24), Saskatoon (June 16 & 17), Regina (June 9 & 10), Toronto (June 23 & 24), Montreal (TBC), Annapolis Valley, N.S. (TBC), Halifax (TBC) and St. John's (June 23 & 24)

Easter Seals welcomes back its Founding Sponsor, Labatt and National Presenting Sponsor, Money Mart. In 2006, Money Mart stores raised an astonishing $333,811 as part of its fundraising through the 24 Hour Relay. Please visit www.24hourrelay.com.

Easter Seals is also recruiting participants of a different nature, those willing to leap off tall buildings. The Easter Seals The Drop Zone inspires people to rip off their suites, don superhero costumes and rappel off the side of skyscrapers. It's a great opportunity to raise funds for Easter Seals, and check out what people are doing on the 17^th story.

Buoyed by the success of the Drop Zone Saskatoon in 2006, Easter Seals Saskatchewan plans to introduce The Drop Zone in Regina this year. Participating cities and dates are:

Victoria (September 20), Vancouver (September 17), Calgary (September 6), Edmonton (September 10), Saskatoon (September 14), Regina (September 12), Winnipeg (August 16), Toronto (September 17), Montreal (September 26), and Halifax (June 21).

The Drop Zone is sponsored by CREIT, National Founding Sponsor and Quixtar Canada, National Supporting Sponsor. Be sure to look for the Quixtar Caped Crusaders at a participating city near you! In 2006, Quixtar Canada raised $17,467 during its team rappel in Toronto. Please visit www.thedropzone.ca.

Edmonton - Alberta Easter Seals is pleased to welcome two new team members to its Edmonton office: Darla Zuk as Special Events Coordinator and Rhonda Frizzell as Major Gifts Officer.

Darla Zuk looks forward to using her extensive event planning experience and local community contacts to enhance the fundraising efforts, current programs and special events for Alberta Easter Seals.

Darla brings with her many years of event planning and management experience, having been responsible for major conventions, trade shows, golf tournaments and special corporate events. She was recently honoured with the 2005 Premier's Awards of Excellence - Silver Category.

She has volunteered for the Edmonton Klondike Days Association/Events Edmonton since 1999, held the Office as the Association's President from 2000-2002, and is still an active shareholder of the Association. Darla currently serves on the Board of the Edmonton Epicurean Society and continues to be involved in various community initiatives. She is a very energetic and personable and is thrilled to be part of Albert Easter Seals.

Rhonda Frizzell brings to the organization a myriad of professional and personal experiences concerning disability issues that she will leverage for Alberta Easter Seals' corporate and foundation giving programs.

She was involved in executive management/director roles over the past 15 years and has been an advocate for persons with disabilities in her personal life. As a writer, Rhonda is currently working on two books - one that outlines some of the political issues within the disabilities community, and an additional piece of work that is fictional. She also aspires to carry forth her passion for interior design and was a professional dancer and teacher for many years.

Rhonda notes that it is an honor to be involved within the Alberta Easter Seals organization and looks forward to playing a part in making 2007 a stellar year.

Welcome Darla and Rhonda!

www.easterseals.ab.ca