The new van is equipped with a Braun conversion unit, which includes a wheelchair lift and enables Easter Seals to carry either four clients in wheelchairs or 10 ambulatory clients.
The van not only opened transportation services to and from the program to disabled clients but enabled all program participants to take field trips, an important part of the Break-A-Way program activities.
The party also will launch the Western Maryland Easter Seal Society into cyberspace, as the Easter Seal Society's new Web site goes open to the public at (easter-seals@www.wash.lib.md.us). The Web site was built as a service of the Washington County Free Library.
The party will kick off other activities for the month including:
- Saturday, April 19, the Easter Seal Society will host a craft show and yard sale from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the City of Hagerstown Parking Deck. The event is sponsored by The Herald-Mail Co. and Hagerstown Trust Co. Participants must register in advance. For more information or to reserve a space, call 1-301-745-3828.
- This year in effort to bring wider exposure to the Easter Seal Society, its programs and supporters, the organization will be having a multi-media "Celebration." From noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 20, WJAL-TV will show the "Faces of Easter Seals."
The two-hour special will be hosted by Bob Goen, co-host of television's "Entertainment Tonight," and Christina Ferrare, host of the Family Channel's "Home and Family." The special also will feature a local segment hosted by Gene Manning, general manager of WARX/WARK radio in Hagerstown and a member of Easter Seal's board of directors and President's Council.
- A radio "Celebration" will be broadcast live from Wal-Mart on Sunday, April 20, from 2 to 6 p.m. This radio program will air on Oldies 106.9 WARX/WARK. Live interviews with Easter Seal clients, care givers, supporters and staff will take place inside the store.
Proceeds from all "Celebration" activities will be used to support Easter Seal Society programs such as the Break-A-Way Adult Social Day Care Center, located on the first floor of Potomac Towers in Hagerstown.
The Easter Seal Society is a nonprofit organization providing community-based services and education to help people with special needs achieve independence.
