Easter Seals New York's 8th Annual "Walk With Me New York City" Set to Draw Hundreds of Participants and Supporters

Saturday, June 11, 2011, 10 a.m. Registration, 11:30 a.m. Walk Start.

Castle Clinton, Battery Park, New York, NY

NEW YORK, June 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Easter Seals New York's 8th Annual Walk With Me New York City will raise funds for the organization's vital programs and services for children and adults with disabilities and special needs.  Hundreds of walkers will join Easter Seals New York on the 2.5 mile route through lower Manhattan. Sponsors, Board Members, Easter Seals New York program participants, and supporters are also slated to walk.

"It is so exciting to have New Yorkers meet our Ambassadors, as they are the reason why we gather together today," says John W. McGrath, Executive Director of Advancement for Easter Seals New York.  "We are honored and grateful to have so many dedicated friends, and it is a testament to the quality of our programs and the work we do."

Proceeds from Walk With Me New York City will go directly towards programs in New York, such as the Bronx Child Development Center (CDC) and the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). Since 1979, the Bronx CDC has provided preschool special education, early intervention, and universal prekindergarten services to the Bronx community. Over 150 children benefitted from Easter Seals New York services in 2010. SCSEP is a work-based training program that places mature individuals who are unemployed and living below the poverty line in job skill training and internships that correspond to their interests and skills.

"I am very proud to be a part of an organization that works so tirelessly to serve others," says Neil Gala, Vice Chairman of Easter Seals New York's New York City Regional Board. "The overwhelming support we receive from this event goes towards bettering the lives of hundreds of individuals with disabilities or special needs."

Walk With Me is Easter Seals' signature fundraising event, and is sponsored by National Premier Sponsor, CVS Caremark; National Presenting Sponsor, Amway Global; National Founding Sponsor, Century 21, and Regional Sponsor, MassMutual. CVS, Amway Global, Century 21, MassMutual, and their associates who generously assist Easter Seals New York through diligent fundraising and support will also walk on Saturday.

Easter Seals is the leading not-for-profit provider of services for individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, physical and mental disabilities, and other special needs.  Easter Seals New York provides exceptional services to ensure that all people with disabilities or special needs and their families have equal opportunities to live, learn, work and play in their communities.  Easter Seals New York services include, but are not limited to: early intervention, camping and recreation, special education, residential, senior employment, family services and school-based disability awareness.

For more information about Easter Seals New York or Walk With Me New York City, call (917) 292-4845 or visit www.eastersealsny.org.

Contact:

Elizabeth Lind

(917) 292-4845

[email protected]

SOURCE Easter Seals New York