Friendly’s Restaurant Honored for Commitment to Easter Seals

Media Contact:

Danielle Huppke
Easter Seals Capital Region & Eastern Connecticut
P: 860.270.0600 ext. 152
dhuppke@escrec.org
www.hartford.easterseals.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

33rd Annual Campaign for Easter Seals Runs from April 7 to April 27

April 28, 2014, Windsor, CT – Easter Seals Capital Region & Eastern Connecticut honored Friendly’s Restaurants with the Corporate Leadership Award. A presentation was made at Friendly’s Restaurant in Springfield, MA on Tuesday, April 15. Enfield and Manchester, CT stores were also recognized for their fundraising success to benefit Easter Seals programs and services.

Friendly’s has been raising money for Easter Seals since 1981 through coupon promotions featuring Valentines, Halloween-themed offers and special events. Cumulatively, the “Cones for Kids” campaign has raised over $28 million for Easter Seals, supporting recreational and social programs that give children with disabilities a sense of independence and accomplishment. The incredible staying power of the program is testament to the commitment of both Friendly’s employees and customers.

This year’s campaign features two new elements. For a $2 donation to Easter Seals, kids will receive their kids meal served on a Friendly’s frisbee and for a $1 donation, guests can get a discount card good for 10 percent off all purchases through May 18, 2014. The campaign runs April 7 through April 27.

Friendly’s Restaurants also funded the update and redesign of Easter Seals’ award winning disability awareness curriculum “Friends Who Care.” The program gives students the opportunity to learn what is involved when someone has a disability and how they adapt to live life, go to school, or work as independently as possible.

“We are proud to partner with Easter Seals and engage our employees, restaurant guests and local communities in our cause,” said John M. Maguire, Chief Executive Officer and President of Friendly’s Ice Cream, LLC. “We know that contributions to Easter Seals create life-changing solutions so that children with disabilities can live, learn, work and play.”

“Easter Seals recognizes Friendly’s Restaurants generosity, caring and commitment and that is why they are so deserving of this year’s Corporate Leadership Award,” said Allen Gouse, Ph. D., President and CEO of Easter Seals Capital Region & Eastern Connecticut.

This year marks the 33rd Annual Campaign for Easter Seals.

About Easter Seals 
Easter Seals Capital Region & Eastern Connecticut is an affiliate of Easter Seals, Inc., the leading nonprofit provider of services for individuals with physical and mental disabilities. For 66 years, Easter Seals Capital Region & Eastern Connecticut has been providing comprehensive rehabilitation services, integrating medical rehabilitation, vocational rehabilitation and educational services within a single delivery system. Standing as one of only two organizations in Connecticut to be accredited for both medical and vocational rehabilitation services through CARF, the recognized accrediting body for rehabilitation providers, the organization provides services to children and adults with acquired, physical, developmental and/or mental disabilities. Approximately 1,500 patients are served each year. Learn more at www.Hartford.EasterSeals.com.

About Friendly’s Ice Cream LLC
Friendly’s Ice Cream, LLC is a vertically integrated restaurant company, with an iconic brand name, serving signature sandwiches, burgers 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 8,000 retail locations. For 78 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, enhanced buildings, and new service channels. In 2014, Friendly”s won a Technomic Chain Restaurant Consumers’ Choice Award, in the category of “kid-friendly restaurant.” For additional information please visit www.friendlys.com.