Easterseals celebrates 100 years of exceptional disability services
Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore marked the 100th anniversary of national Easterseals by celebrating an expansion of its Salisbury Children’s Therapy Services, thanks to the generous support of local foundations and donors.
The donors, the Richard A. Henson Foundation Inc.; the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation Inc.; and Beverly Ward, Easterseals board member and the first employee of Children’s Therapy Services in Salisbury, were honored for making the expanded services possible.
“There’s no better way to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Easterseals than honoring the donors who are allowing us to serve more children with disabilities in our local community,” said Ken Sklenar, president/CEO for Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore. “Support by the local community has always driven Easterseals’ ability to help families in need. We are extremely grateful.”
Easterseals has provided disability services in Salisbury since 1996. Currently, more than 500 children receive physical, speech and occupational therapies annually. The expansion allows Easterseals to increase its capacity and provide services to 100 to 150 more children per year in Salisbury and on the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland.
"The Easterseals facility in Salisbury has been quietly meeting the needs of children with disabilities and their families, providing comprehensive pediatric rehabilitation for more than 20 years,” said Donna S. Altvater, executive director of the Richard A. Henson Foundation, Inc. “As a long-time supporter of Easterseals, the Henson Foundation was proud to partner with Easterseals to expand their Salisbury office. The expansion will allow them to provide therapy to well over 600 children and families in our community."
Now an Easterseals board member, Bev Ward began her career at Easterseals when the Salisbury office opened in 1996: “After being involved with the Salisbury facility since its inception, I am so excited to see that Easterseals is expanding to better serve the needs of children and their families in the lower shore area,” said Ward. “The services that Easterseals provides meet a unique need, and I am proud of their continued commitment to the lower shore families.”
“At Perdue, we share in the belief that children are the heart and future of our communities, and we’re proud to support the important work being done by Easterseals through support from the Perdue Foundation,” said Kim Nechay, executive director of the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation.
For 100 years nationally, Easterseals has served as an indispensable resource for individuals with disabilities, veterans, seniors and their families. Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore offers a range of services, including children’s therapies, assistive technology, recreational camping, day programs for adults with physical or intellectual disabilities, and respite services for caregivers. For more information, about how Easterseals helps children and adults with disabilities, call 800-677-3800 or go to www.de.easterseals.com.
