Cones for Kids campaign begins


Rick and Dick Hoyt have been competing in athletic events since the late 1970s. Rick (seated) has benefited from many Easter Seal programs and joined his father last week to kick-off Cones for Kids, a fundraising endeavor hosted by Friendly's. Reminder Publications photo by Natasha Clark

By Natasha Clark

Assistant Managing Editor

WILBRAHAM For 27 years Friendly's has associated Valentine's Day with charity. After partnering with Easter Seals Disability Services in 1981, the corporation has raised nearly $25 million for adults and children with disabilities through their Cones for Kids campaign.

On Jan. 21, Friendly's kicked off Cones for Kids at their Wilbraham headquarters. From Jan. 1 through Feb. 14, any guest of Friendly's Restaurant who makes a $1 Easter Seals donation will receive a Kid's Valentine's Day card redeemable for five free Kid ice cream cones.

Last Monday, nationally known father-son IronMan Triathlon duo Dick and Rick Hoyt came out to put a face to those who have benefited from Easter Seals. Former National Child Ambassador and current Easter Seals employee Colleen Flanagan and local children who have attended Easter Seals summer camps were also in attendance. State Rep. Angelo Puppolo presented a citation from the House of Representatives in honor of the yearly occasion.

"At the core, your customers come to your restaurant because they value what they receive there," Easter Seals President Jim Williams told Friendly's employees. "People come to Easter Seals for the same reason because of the value they receive there."

Flanagan shared her experience as a youth participating in Easter Seals camps since the age of nine. She said the camp "changed her world" and now she is pleased to work with children who are just like her.

"It's great to be able to give back to an organization which has given so much to me," Flanagan said.

A brief film was shown highlighting the path Dick and Rick traveled to get where they are today. Rick was born Jan. 10, 1962 with his umbilical cord coiled around his neck which cut off the oxygen to his brain. Doctors said he would be in a vegetative state for the rest of his life and urged his parents to put him into a facility.

Instead, Dick and his wife Judy brought Rick home and pursued all avenues available to raise him the best way they could.

According to information provided at www.teamhoyt.com, "Tufts University engineers built Rick an interactive computer that would allow him to write out his thoughts using the slight head-movements that he could manage." In 1975 he began attending public school, and two years later, "he told his father he wanted to participate in a five-mile benefit run for a local lacrosse player who had been paralyzed in an accident. Dick, far from being a long-distance runner, agreed to push Rick in his wheelchair."

Eleven years and thousands of miles later, Team Hoyt has spread the message that anyone can do anything.

"I remember my first time at a two-week camp," Rick said, when praising Easter Seals programs.

He said at age 46, he now lives in Sturbridge, Mass., and has a personal care attendant to help him. He also has an alarm on his bed in case he needs help during the night.

The Hoyts made a $15,000 donation to Easter Seals.

Nine-year-old Ronald Tasker and 15-year-old Dominic Mondon shared the difference Easter Seals has made in their lives, too.

Williams said the campaign isn't just about selling ice cream cones, it's about helping real people like Tasker and Mondon.

The event was capped with a video thank you from grateful families.

Dollars raised through Cones for Kids provide programs and services such as medical rehabilitation, assistive technology, inclusive child care, adult day centers and even camping and recreational activities.