Friendly's Announces 32nd Annual 'Cones for Kids' Campaign for Easter Seals

Fundraiser to 'Sweeten' the Lives of Individuals with Special Needs in Upstate New York

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Jan. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This January, Friendly's Ice Cream launches its 32^nd annual Cones for Kids campaign to benefit Easter Seals New York and those living with disabilities or special needs. Since 1981, Friendly's employees and customers have joined together to raise funds for children and adults living with autism and other special needs.  Over the past decade alone, Upstate New York Friendly's guests have generously donated more than $1.5 million to Easter Seals New York.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110401/MM76153LOGO )

The Cones for Kids campaign will run from January 14^th until February 24^th at Kessler Family Friendly's Restaurants in Upstate New York. Each restaurant guest who makes a $5 donation to Easter Seals New York will receive a coupon book redeemable for two free kid's meals or Happy Ending® Sundaes, a $5 off $25 purchase coupon and a $3 off $15 coupon, a $20 value.

David VanBlarcom, Vice President of Restaurant Operations for Kessler Family LLC, said, "We look forward each year to partner with Easter Seals New York for our Cones for Kids campaign. It is a wonderful opportunity to bring our employees and guests together to help serve those in our community with disabilities and special needs."

All proceeds from the Cones for Kids initiative go towards supporting programs in Western New York. Thanks in large part to the proceeds raised by The Kessler Family Friendly's restaurants, The Kessler Center opened its doors on July 11, 2011 in Rochester. The Kessler Center offers highly individualized special education, fully-supported residential living, clinical care, and emergency respite services for children and young adults with disabilities or special needs in Upstate New York.

"The Kessler Family and Friendly's have transformed the lives of thousands of individuals with disabilities through their Cones for Kids initiative and made it possible for children whose needs had previously gone unmet to receive the care they need in their home state at The Kessler Center," noted John W. McGrath, Executive Director of Easter Seals New York. "Their generosity is truly extraordinary and Easter Seals New York is incredibly grateful to have friends and supporters like The Kessler Family and Friendly's Restaurants."

FRIENDLY'S - KESSLER FAMILY LLC
Cones for Kids Participating Locations

BINGHAMTON, NY             
1148 Front Street, Binghamton                         (607) 724-7533
301 East Main Street, Endicott                          (607) 757-9187
Oakdale Mall, Johnson City                               (607) 729-1766
561 Harry L Drive, Johnson City                       (607) 729-2250
3604 Vestal Parkway, Vestal                             (607) 798-7288

BROCKPORT, NY  
6555 Fourth Section Road, Brockport             (585) 637-9420

BUFFALO, NY       
4350 Maple Road, Amherst                               (716) 835-2862
3540 McKinley Parkway, Blasdell                     (716) 332-6041
2760 Union Road, Cheektowaga                     (716) 683-1015
6651 Transit Road, Williamsville                      (716) 204-2525

CORNING, NY      
Riverside Plaza, Corning                                   (607) 962-7497

CORTLAND, NY    
170 Clinton Ave, Cortland                                 (607) 756-9805
145 West Street, Cortland                                (607) 753-3200

ELMIRA, NY          
Arnot Mall, Horseheads                                    (607) 796-9334
2669 Corning Road, Horseheads                  (607) 739-9800

GENEVA, NY         
287 Hamilton Street, Geneva                           (315) 789-0671

HORNELL, NY       
41 Main Street, Hornell                                      (607) 324-2045

ITHACA, NY          
323-325 Elmira Road, Ithaca                           (607) 272-0984
2309 N. Triphammer Road, Ithaca                 (607) 257-5797

JAMESTOWN, NY
10 South Main Street, Jamestown                   (716) 483-0081

OLEAN, NY           
2502 W. State Street, Olean                             (585) 372-2227

ONEIDA, NY         
109 Genesee Street, Oneida                           (315) 363-9135

ONEONTA, NY     
377 Main Street, Oneonta                                (607) 432-0361

OSWEGO, NY       
192-196 W. Bridge Street, Oswego               (315) 342-2233

ROCHESTER, NY   
3935 Dewey Ave, Rochester                           (585) 621-2330
Greece Ridge Mall, Rochester                       (585) 227-1732
2425 W. Henrietta Road, Rochester             (585) 424-1370
Marketplace Mall, Rochester                          (585) 424-4053
2717 Monroe Ave, Rochester                         (585) 442-6400
4 Spencerport Road, Rochester                    (585) 429-6256
3081 W. Ridge Road, Rochester                   (585) 225-9300
Eastview Mall, Victor                                         (585) 223-3717
1206 Ridge Road, Webster                            (585) 872-4869

ROME, NY             
1700 N James Street, Rome                         (315) 336-0240

SYRACUSE, NY     
5407 W. Genesee Street, Camillus              (315) 487-2468
3873 State Route 31, Clay                              (315) 546-0217
Great Northern Mall, Clay                                (315) 652-3786
3275 Erie Blvd, Dewitt                                      (315) 446-8332
501 E. Genesee Street, Fayetteville              (315) 637-9518
7560 Oswego Road, Liverpool                      (315) 622-3730
3701 James Street, Syracuse                        (315) 463-6781

UTICA, NY            
1700 Burrstone Road, New Hartford           (315) 733-4508

WATERTOWN, NY               
1233 Arsenal Street, Watertown                   (315) 788-3320

About Friendly's
Kessler Family LLC is an affiliate of the Kessler Group, Inc., operating 43 Friendly's Restaurants and 21 Burger King locations in Upstate New York. Friendly's Ice Cream, LLC is a new, vertically integrated restaurant company, with a legendary brand name, serving signature sandwiches, entrees and ice cream desserts in a friendly, family environment. Together with its broad franchisee base, the company has system-wide sales of over $550 million and distribution through over 7,500 retail locations. For over 77 years, Friendly's restaurants and dedicated service teams have delighted generations of guests.  For the future, Friendly's has plans for new food and ice cream products and enhanced buildings. For additional information please visit www.friendlys.com.

About Easter Seals New York
Easter Seals New York has been at the forefront of providing outstanding services for individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, physical disabilities and other special needs. For almost 90 years, Easter Seals has been offering help and hope to children and adults living with disabilities, and to the families who love them. Through therapy, training, education and support services, Easter Seals creates life-changing solutions so that people with disabilities can live, learn, work and play. Support children and adults with disabilities at www.eastersealsny.org.

Media Contacts:
Irene Manolopoulos
Easter Seals New York
(212) 220-2290
[email protected]
www.eastersealsny.org

Larry Ross
Kessler Family LLC
A franchisee of
Friendly's Ice Cream, LLC
(585) 424-5277 Ext. 120
[email protected]

SOURCE Easter Seals New York