Central Illinois Raises 2.4 Million for Easter Seals
By: Andrew Barra WMBD/WYZZ-TV
Updated: March 3, 2013
EAST PEORIA - For nearly forty years, Easter Seals has been providing therapy and services to children and adults with disabilities.
And each year - our WMBD 31 news team helps out with its annual telethon.
Thanks to you the money raised will help those with special needs achieve their goals.
That includes Payton Mcsimov.
The Mcsimov family has been attending the Easters Seals Telethon for more than a decade.
Their son, Payton, has been receiving therapy from the organization since he was a baby
Payton's mom, Kristie Mcsimov, said, "This is our twelfth. We started when Payton was five months old with the services."
The Mcsimov joined other Easter Seals families, volunteers, workers, Saturday for what they say is their biggest night of the year, supporting a cause that gives those with special needs the ability to take on the world.
"Families just coming together to celebrated the milestones their kids have reached," said Ester Seals CEO Steve Thompson. "It is just a lot of fun."
Throughout the evening volunteers dialed countless people encouraging them to donate..
A one night telethon--and the culmination of a years worth of fundraising.
Easter Seals mom, Becky McDaniels, said, "We do letter writing campaigns, asking people for donations. There are so many different fundraising events and dinners. Pretty much everything."
And it all goes to the organization's cause - helping children with disabilities.
Mcsimov said, "In certain situations, you may have medical bills; things get outrageous. But at Easter Seals, we're all equal. You never have to worry about the financial end of it; your child's going to get services, no matter what."
And when they unveiled the final tally, realizing they raised nearly two point four million THIS YEAR- the room lit up - smiles on the kids faces - knowing those dollars mean progress.
Mcsimov said, "The best thing is that this is the one place in public we can come that Payton is treated normal. Nobody looks at him differently, because we are all in the same boat. Nobody's judging anybody."
Thompson added, "Hearing from people who are really touched by the services, personally and directly, and just embracing all the wonderful volunteers. It is really a party and celebration of year-round giving that occurs at Easter Seals."
Easter Seals takes donations all year round, , and ninety-nine cents of every dollar stays right here in Central Illlinois.
To take action, you can go to www.ci.easterseals.com/
And each year - our WMBD 31 news team helps out with its annual telethon.
Thanks to you the money raised will help those with special needs achieve their goals.
That includes Payton Mcsimov.
The Mcsimov family has been attending the Easters Seals Telethon for more than a decade.
Their son, Payton, has been receiving therapy from the organization since he was a baby
Payton's mom, Kristie Mcsimov, said, "This is our twelfth. We started when Payton was five months old with the services."
The Mcsimov joined other Easter Seals families, volunteers, workers, Saturday for what they say is their biggest night of the year, supporting a cause that gives those with special needs the ability to take on the world.
"Families just coming together to celebrated the milestones their kids have reached," said Ester Seals CEO Steve Thompson. "It is just a lot of fun."
Throughout the evening volunteers dialed countless people encouraging them to donate..
A one night telethon--and the culmination of a years worth of fundraising.
Easter Seals mom, Becky McDaniels, said, "We do letter writing campaigns, asking people for donations. There are so many different fundraising events and dinners. Pretty much everything."
And it all goes to the organization's cause - helping children with disabilities.
Mcsimov said, "In certain situations, you may have medical bills; things get outrageous. But at Easter Seals, we're all equal. You never have to worry about the financial end of it; your child's going to get services, no matter what."
And when they unveiled the final tally, realizing they raised nearly two point four million THIS YEAR- the room lit up - smiles on the kids faces - knowing those dollars mean progress.
Mcsimov said, "The best thing is that this is the one place in public we can come that Payton is treated normal. Nobody looks at him differently, because we are all in the same boat. Nobody's judging anybody."
Thompson added, "Hearing from people who are really touched by the services, personally and directly, and just embracing all the wonderful volunteers. It is really a party and celebration of year-round giving that occurs at Easter Seals."
Easter Seals takes donations all year round, , and ninety-nine cents of every dollar stays right here in Central Illlinois.
To take action, you can go to www.ci.easterseals.com/
