GAIL WHITE Guardian angels smile down on the Easter Seals

What more could an organization ask for than the loving support of a whole host of angels?
Fifty years ago, Easter Seals opened its doors in Youngstown to assist people with disabilities and special needs.
Twenty-five years ago, a group of women decided to assist Easter Seals with its mission by raising funds to support the center's many programs.
During that quarter of a century, the Angels for Easter Seals has raised more than $1.5 million.
Julie Costas, publicity officer for the Angels, is quick to add, "100 percent of the monies raised by the Angels stays in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties."
Last year, this group of 75 active members raised more than $100,000 for the center.
This year, they hope to raise even more.
"With the changes in Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance providers," Julie said, "complete therapy for these children and adults serviced by the center has to be shortened."
The group provides money that helps fill the gap where funds are lacking.
Sponsored events: In the spring, the group sponsors a style show in a joint partnership with Kaufmann's.
In the fall, members hold the Magic Of An Angels' Christmas, an evening of dinner and dancing followed by a silent auction.
In December, the Angels are busy with their Holiday Brunch and Sweetland. All the Angels bake cookies and sweets to sell at the brunch.
In the meantime, this group of women compiles a cookbook of its favorite recipes to sell. A new "Party Favorites" version has just hit the shelves.
All these events take a great deal of time and planning. It is a lot of work for women who already have busy schedules.
Why do these Angels flutter about so?
One trip to the Easter Seal Center reveals the answer.
For the children: Walking into a preschool classroom always holds a certain fascination. Watching small children interact and play together; observing those little eyes looking adoringly at their teacher, hanging on her every word; witnessing chubby, little fingers holding pencils and scissors.
The Easter Seals Building Blocks classrooms have all those attractions.
Yet, as Janet Walston, director of pediatric services at Easter Seals, introduces each class, she shares tremendous stories of victory that these children have overcome.
There is the little boy who could not speak. One day his mom finally heard, "I love you," from his lips.
There is the little girl, all smiles as she makes her way across the room with a four-pronged cane.
The child with cerebral palsy learning to hold a pencil.
Yet, not only children find success at Easter Seals.
Adult benefactors: Samuel Robinson of Youngstown, has been coming to Easter Seals two times a week for two months after suffering from a stroke. He is working on improving his writing.
Viola Beck visits Easter Seals several times a week for aqua therapy to help relieve arthritis pain.
In all, Easter Seals assists more than 5,000 clients a year -- from 6-week-olds to seniors.
The Easter Seals' mission is "to help persons with disabilities or special needs live with equality, dignity and independence."
No one is turned away.
Walking through the exit doors of the center, I look back as I hear singing.
Little 2-year-old Wayne Childs is happily chanting, "A, B, C, D..."
His mother explains Wayne was born premature and has language and speech difficulties.
He comes to Easter Seals once a week for speech therapy.
While he dances his way happily to the car, behind the sound of his singing is the flutter of angels' wings.
XMagic of An Angels' Christmas will be Nov. 17 at Antone's Banquet Centre, 8578 Market St., Boardman. The Angel's Holiday Brunch and Sweetland will be Dec. 5, also at Antone's. For ticket information, call (330) 743-1168.
gwhite@vindy.com