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Ice cream vendor churns out funds for Easter Seals
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A lick for easter seals - Cameron Posta, 3, Manager of Freindlys in Poland - Tom Collins and sisters Carlie, 3, and Kaylie, 2, Harmon enjoy ice cream cones at Friendlys Ice Cream in Poland
By Jon Moffett
YOUNGSTOWN — She may not scream for ice cream, but Cameron Posta enjoys it all the same.
And a free ice cream cone, courtesy of the Friendly’s restaurant in Poland, brought a smile to her face — a face that ended up wearing much of the treat.
The ice cream cone was a gift to Cameron to help kick off the annual Cones for Kids fundraiser, a partnership between Easter Seals Disability Services and the Friendly Ice Cream Corporation. The proceeds fund Easter Seals’ Camp Friendly’s program.
Easter Seals is a nonprofit organization that provides services to people with autism, developmental disabilities, physical disabilities and other special needs, a news release from the organization said.
“Friendly’s has been very supportive of Easter Seals,” said Jodi Harmon, development and public relations coordinator for the organization. “We are designating our classrooms as ‘Camp Friendly’s’ this summer.”
The program, which celebrates its 28th year in 2009, gives Easter Seals kids a chance to attend summer camp, Harmon said.
“The [fundraiser] helps children attend programs and provides money for field trips and other activities,” she said. “They get to attend camps and just do things that [other] kids can do.”
For a $1 donation, customers will receive a sheet of six Valentine’s Day cards. On the back are coupons good for five individual children’s cones and one $5 off coupon for a $25 or more meal. Money raised from the program will help fund 28 Easter Seals facilities in Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties. The event runs through Feb. 13.
Since 1981, Friendly’s has raised more than $25.2 million for Easter Seals — tallying $619,000 in 2008. The goal for 2009 is $1 million.
The summer camps provide a fun atmosphere for children with disabilities like Cameron has, Harmon said.
A little more than a year ago, Cameron couldn’t walk at all. Now, the energetic 3-year-old can’t stand still.
“It’s awesome,” said Jennifer Posta, Cameron’s mother. “It’s amazing what a few months could do.”
In August 2007, Posta took Cameron, who has from a form of cerebral palsy, to an Easter Seals facility in Mahoning County. Cameron was given daily physical therapy and constant activity to help strengthen her legs.
Posta said Cameron was walking before Christmas — Dec. 10 to be exact. Jennifer had Cameron at home, and with video camera in hand, held out a handful of chocolates for Cameron if she’d come to get them. The resilient toddler walked across the room to her mother.
“It’s just incredible,” Posta said. “Easter Seals really helped her out a lot.”
Posta said Cameron is now swimming and riding a tricycle as part of her continued therapy.
Tom Collins, who manages the Friendly’s in Poland, said the program offers everyone a chance to help out.
“We capture revenue for a good cause, and the kids get free ice cream,” he said. “It’s a win-win situation for everybody.”
Collins said the biggest winners were the kids, even those not involved with Easter Seals.
“Show me a kid who doesn’t love ice cream.”
jmoffett@vindy.com