Year at a glance 2020/21
There has never been a more powerful demonstration of the strength and resiliency of our community than what we witnessed over the past year. In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, our community joined us in staying connected—offering each other support, encouragement, and hope when it was needed most.
Easter Seals is grateful to have played a part in helping our community navigate their way through the uncertainty of the pandemic. Through community connection that is at the core of our programs and services, families found new friendships, children and adults with disabilities learned new skills, and our guests were warmly welcomed through the doors at Easter Seals House.
Our commitment to our campers, online class participants, families and guests of Easter Seals House, is at the centre of everything we do.
78% of camp and online class participants saw their personal development increase.
Bringing Back Campers In Person
At camp, children grow, explore, make new friends and learn new skills, and they have a lot of fun.
Though our traditional overnight camps were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we brought a little bit of camp magic back through our first year of holding day camps. Camp is an important part of the lives and skills development of our community. At Easter Seals summer camps, everyone has the opportunity to try all activities and be supported by a community of friends and peers that cheer them on.
We wanted to offer as much of this camp experience as we could and opened up Camp Winfield and Camp Shawnigan for day camp programming. When a person with a disability feels safe and secure, they feel free to explore their interests, to play and to laugh. Easter Seals camps gives them a chance to express themselves and learn more about who they are in a positive way.
109 people joined us for family camps at all three of our camp locations
With travel limitations put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many families of children with disabilities had even less travel options than the limited ones they normally have. Opening up our camps to families this summer brought a connection and adventure that was needed after another year of isolation and disconnect that our families had in their day to day lives.
“It was a lot of fun and I thought the counsellors did a good job making sure everyone had a chance to participate in all the activities.”
– Tawnya, an online Camp@Home participant
100+ families received respite time while their children enjoyed day camps.
65 Years of Keeping Families Together
Throughout this past year, there were over 18,000 house guest stays.
Easter Seals House is a lifeline for thousands of families across BC and Yukon, that need access to Vancouver hospitals—helping relieve families of the stress and financial burden of finding somewhere to stay in an expensive, and unfamiliar city.
In addition to providing out of town accommodation, Easter Seals House also opened its doors to help the local community in need. For 11 months, 12 rooms were made available to the Atira Women’s Resource Society and used as supportive housing for women with life limiting health issues.
“Room was clean and comfortable, with a nice little kitchenette. So wonderful to have a place to stay for a medical visit that doesn’t break the bank and is so close to Vancouver General Hospital. Staff were very friendly and helpful. A great service to the people who need it. A very big thank you to all involved.”
– Johanna, an Easter Seals House Guest
Opening Easter Seals House to Those in Crisis
With the onset of the pandemic and safety measures, children and families who would normally travel to Vancouver for medical appointments and stay at Easter Seal House, were having their appointments cancelled, postponed, or moved online. The occupancy of the House rapidly decreased and the House was offered to be of service to others during this crisis. Through a partnership with BC Housing and the Atira Group, an organization serving woman and children fleeing domestic violence, an issue that escalates during crises, occupied the House for four months from April to July.
We were thrilled to have the capacity to assist. The House was an attractive option to accommodate women and children due to its design of self-contained kitchen suites, offering a safe and isolating circumstance to the community.
A New Garden Creates an Oasis for Guests to Relax and Play
The Garden Club of Vancouver and Concert Properties, along with many other key supporters, gave a gift of a new outdoor space, garden, play area and a barbeque and eating area.
For our guests, it will become a retreat for quiet reflection, a hub for social gatherings, and a space filled with fun and laughter where children can forget about medical treatments and just play.
Community events play an important role in raising funds.
ZLC’S 35th ANNIVERSARY CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT
The ZLC Golf Tournament has evolved into one of the premier golf events of the season in Vancouver, and on July 12th, 2021, golfers, donors, volunteers and many others, came together and raised an amazing $60,000 for Easter Seals.
40TH ANNUAL PADDLE FOR THE KIDS
For 40 years, members of the Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club have paddled for 10 long and arduous hours taking a 75km journey from Brentwood Bay to their clubhouse on the Gorge. Their first crossing was done in 1982, in one 25-foot voyageur canoe with two crews of six paddlers. One crew would paddle to Port Angeles, while the other paddled back. Through their generous pledges, they have raised over $370,000 for Easter Seals Summer Camps in BC.
Continued Support from Lions Clubs
Lions Clubs have continued to be an integral and formidable supporter for children and adults with disabilities, since establishing the BC Lions Society for Children with Disabilities back in 1947. Through their incredible fundraising, events and time volunteering at our camps they have truly made a difference in the lives of persons with disabilities—and for that, we thank you!
During the pandemic, Lions Clubs still came together and raised $141,134 for children and adults with disabilities.
475 campers registered for summer programs.
Rappelling For a Cause
Because of you, we raised an incredible $208,141.
We are all heroes to someone and in September 2021, 186 Superheroes participated in Drop Zone for our 16th anniversary in Vancouver, our third anniversary in Surrey, and our first year in Kelowna and Burnaby.
Since 2005, Drop Zone events across Canada have collectively raised over $16 million, and nearly 9,000 brave Superheroes have stepped off the edge of office towers in support of children and adults with disabilities.
“The Drop Zone event Easter Seals hosts every year encourages us to get out of our comfort zone and challenge ourselves just like these amazing campers do every day.”
Debra Hewson,
President & CEO of Odlum Brown Limited
Thank You
Next year, we will celebrate a major milestone in the life of any charity – we are turning 75 years. Millions of citizens from around BC and Yukon have been touched by our programs & services, and we’re looking forward to celebrating an amazing and rich history.
Thank you for your incredible support. We could not make a difference in the lives of persons with disabilities without you.
Our Annual Reports:
Download 2020/21 Annual Report
Download 2019/20 Annual Report
Our Financials:
Audited Financial Statements – Year ended Sept 30, 2022
Audited Financial Statements – Year ended Sept 30, 2021
Audited Financial Statements – Year ended Sept 30, 2020
Audited Financial Statements – Year ended Sept 30, 2019
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