Easter Seals Drop Zone presented by RioCan REIT returns to Toronto

Toronto, ON, September 22, 2011 — Local thrill seekers are gearing up for the 2011 Easter Seals Drop Zone Toronto presented by RioCan REIT on Thursday, October 6th. The RioCan Yonge Eglinton Centre, at 2300 Yonge Street, will be the site of a superhero adventure as regular, everyday people conquer their fears by rappelling down 32-stories to safety in support of Ontario’s children and youth with physical disabilities.

By raising a minimum of $1,500 in pledges, participants earn the opportunity of a lifetime to rappel a knee-shaking 32-stories down the side of the RioCan Yonge Eglinton Centre, while astonished onlookers gaze up into the sky from one of Canada’s busiest intersections.

Participants will take part in pre-event training session and challenge themselves alongside highly trained experts who will guide them through the entire process.

This unique and exciting event will feature celebrity rappellers, including: Canadian funny man and host of Beyond the Mic Mike Bullard and Wilder Weir from CosmoTV’s, Oh So Cosmo.

“We’re thrilled to be hosting this unique event at the RioCan Yonge Eglinton Centre in support of such a worthy cause,” said Danny Kissoon, Senior VP of Operations. “Kids with physical disabilities deserve all the support we can give them. Riocan’s team of ‘superheroes’ are up for the challenge! Our ‘superheroes’ are working hard at getting ready to take the 32-story, Easter Seals Drop Zone plunge. It’s going to be an exciting day.”

Spectators and supporters are invited to join the excitement at the RioCan Yonge Eglinton Centre to watch these brave superheroes take the plunge from 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Nationally since 2005, the Easter Seals Drop event has seen more than 3000 individuals rappel and raise more than $4.8 million for kids with physical disabilities through 56 Drop Zone events from coast to coast. This year, Toronto is excited to be one of thirteen host cities for Drop Zone events across Canada.

Easter Seals Drop Zone raises awareness, heart rates, and funds for Easter Seals kids.

Proceeds from Easter Seals Drop Zone Toronto will help Easter Seals Ontario assist families of kids with physical disabilities with the purchase of costly mobility equipment and communication devices. Easter Seals is also recognized as an industry leader in providing specialized recreation programs for kids with physical disabilities at its fully accessible Easter Seals camps.

Sponsors of Easter Seals Drop Zone Toronto include: local host and presenting sponsor, RioCan REIT and the RioCan Yonge Eglinton Centre, as well as national founding sponsor, CREIT Management L.P., national supporting sponsor, Amway, and national supplier, Remote Access Technology International. Other local sponsors include: Kijiji, The Pickle Barrel, Rexall, The Rock Oasis and NewsTalk 1010. For more information visit, www.thedropzone.ca

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For media inquires, contact:

Meredith Wiens
Director, Communications
Easter Seals Ontario
416-421-8377 ext. 368
mwiens @ easterseals.org

VICTORIA, BC – On Thursday, September 15th Victoria will welcome superheroes of all kinds at its 6th Easter Seals Drop Zone. Fearless individuals have signed up to channel their inner superhero at this year’s rappel down the CIBC Building in the heart of Downtown Victoria, 1175 Douglas Street.

The Victoria Drop Zone is an exciting way to give back to the community. Adventure seeking Easter Seals supporters sign up for this exciting challenge and get set to be a “superhero” for a day by rappelling off the CIBC Building after raising a minimum of $1,000 for Easter Seals children with disabilities. All funds raised on the Island stay on the Island and go towards providing summer camping experiences at Easter Seals Camp Shawnigan, as well as funding Easter Seals House.

Participants this year get involved for many different reasons, including parents of children that have gone to Easter Seals Camp Shawnigan for many years and parents of children that will be heading off to Camp Shawnigan in the future. Everyone involved is supporting the Easter Seals Drop Zone for their own reasons, but have come together to raise funds for a very special cause.

Sponsors of the Victoria Easter Seals Drop Zone include: National Founding Sponsor CREIT Management L.P.; National Sponsors Remote Access Technology and Amway; as well as local sponsors The Zone@91.3, 100.3 the Q!, CHEK NEWS, Times Colonist, Peacock Billiards, Canadian Western Bank, WestJet, Artbox, Victoria Costumes and All Systems Go.

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For media inquiries contact:

Shannon Bernays
BC Lions Society & Easter Seals
Phone: 250-370-0518 ext. 3
Cell: 250-415-2156
Email: shannon@forthekidsbc.org