Easter Seals Kick Off The 51st Peterborough Telethon; Announcing New Regional Ambassador

The 51st annual Peterborough Easter Seals Telethon kicked off at the Lansdowne Place Mall on Thursday; announcing Sawyer Grace Growden as the new regional ambassador.

the growden’s: dan (left), sawyer (middle) and tara (right). photo by Felicia Massey.

After a couple of virtual years, Easter Seals were able to gather again in-person to launch the 2023 Telethon.

The annual Easter Seals Telethon celebrates success stories, showcases Easter Seals kids and their families, recognizes donors and sponsors, and raises funds for children and youth with physical disabilities for the last 51 years. For the past 101 years, Easter Seals has played an important role in providing support for children and youth with physical disabilities.

Easter Seals continues to offer programs to enable kids to experience freedom, independence and a sense of accomplishment. Easter Seals helps by providing financial assistance for mobility equipment, communication devices and summer camp opportunities.

Jeff Richards from Country 105 / Move FM emceed the kick-off event; announcing this year’s goals and sharing updates on past ambassador Ryerson Beardmore. The month of March was also declared Easter Seals Month by Mayor Jeff Leal.

Telethon host Catherine Hanrahan introduced new regional ambassador, 6-year-old Sawyer Grace Growden. Growden has Angelman syndrome, a genetic disorder which affects the 15th chromosome.

“She is missing the part of her chromosome that affects all the things we take for granted on a daily basis. Things like walking, eating, and all those self-care things,” said Sawyer’s mom Tara Growden. “She works so hard everyday to overcome all those challenges, she is just such a happy little girl.”

Sawyer uses a wheelchair and a walker to help with her mobility. Her dad, Dan Growden, says that she is learning to use an iPad to help communicate.

The Growden’s mentioned that they are looking to attend the Easter Seals Family Camp.

“(We’re excited) to go to a place and be around people who get it, and to not have to worry about accessibility for a hot minute,” said Tara.

This year the Easter Seals will be visiting with familiar faces, past ambassadors, and local celebrities of the past 51 telethons as part of the March 26 fundraiser.

The 2023 Easter Seals Telethon will be broadcasting live on March 26 on YourTV and Global Peterborough from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Supporters can donate online and local residents are encouraged to select the Peterborough webpage.

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