Friendly’s Restaurants Raise More Than $680,000 for Easter Seals Nationwide

April 20, 2009 - PRLog -- Friendly’s Restaurants recently announced its company-wide campaign, “Cones For Kids,” raised more than $680,000 for Easter Seals across the nation.  With a network of more than 550 sites, Easter Seals is a leading non-profit provider of services for individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, physical and mental disabilities and other special needs.  This year marked the 28th year Friendly's has provided funds to benefit Easter Seals through its Cones for Kids campaign. In 2008, local affiliate, Easter Seals Eastern PA., received a share of the funds totaling about $8,200.

“After all these years, I continue to be amazed by Friendly’s commitment and enthusiasm to supporting Easter Seals,” said Nancy Teichman, CEO, Easter Seals Eastern PA. “Cones for Kids continues to make such a real difference in the lives of the many people with disabilities our organization serves.”

Friendly Ice Cream Corporation raises the funds through the sale of Valentine's Day cards. The valentines are redeemable for free Friendly's Kid Cones and include a $5 off a $25 purchase coupon for parents. As of January, the company had raised more than $25.2 million for Easter Seals since it began the Cones for Kids campaign in 1981. This year's grand total of more than $680,000 in funds raised tops last year's donation of $616,000.

"Friendly's annual Cones for Kids program is a fun way for kids to play an active role in the positive development of children faced with physical, mental and developmental challenges," added Kevin McNamara, Vice President, Operations Support Services, for Friendly’s, who noted that funds raised through the campaign support Easter Seals Camp Friendly's programs. According to McNamara, camp provides an opportunity for kids with disabilities to be included in camp activities like swimming, music, sports and field trips to exciting local destinations.

About Friendly Ice Cream Corporation
Friendly Ice Cream Corporation is a vertically integrated restaurant company serving signature sandwiches, entrees and ice cream desserts in a friendly, family environment in more than 500 company and franchised restaurants throughout the Northeast. The company also manufactures ice cream, which is distributed through more than 4,000 supermarkets and other retail locations. With a 73-year operating history, Friendly's enjoys strong brand recognition and is currently revitalizing its restaurants and introducing new products to grow its customer base. To find a Friendly’s near you, visit http://www.friendlys.com/.


About Easter Seals
http://www.esep.easterseals.com/

Easter Seals brings help, hope and answers to adults and children with physical disabilities and developmental delays through in-home and center-based occupational, speech and physical therapy. For more than 85 years, Easter Seals has offered assessment, treatment, family support and community education, assisted children and adults living with disabilities -- and the families who love them -- to lead healthy, productive lives.

Easter Seals Eastern Pennsylvania annually provides services to more than 3,000 adults and children in a seven-county region that encompasses Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton, Pike and Schuylkill Counties.

Easter Seals Eastern Pennsylvania implements programs and services through three regional offices located in Bethlehem, East Stroudsburg, and Reading with all operations coordinated through the administrative office located in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Media Contacts:
Marcia Theodoredis
Easter Seals Eastern PA
P: 610-289-0114
marcia.theodoredis@easterseals-easternpa.org
www.esep.easterseals.com

Gillian Begin
Friendly Ice Cream Corporation
413.731.4243
gillian.begin@friendlys.com
http://www.friendlys.com/

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