Easter Seals Florida History (part 1)

Welcome back to Memories Monday!

It is important to reflect. Memory Mondays give us an opportunity to thank others and refresh ourselves on how we became what we are today. Who can think of a more encouraging way to start the week?

Easter Seals Florida has a long and amazing history that is worth remembering. That’s why we feel the need to share! In order to truly know the roots of Easter Seals Florida, it is best to first know the history of Easter Seals on a national scale.

Enjoy!

·         A man named Edgar Allen was surprised to learn that children with disabilities were often hidden from public view.

·         Before this happened, Edgar Allen’s son was in a streetcar accident, which left him with use of his legs.  It was then that Edgar Allen searched for services to help his son, and was unable to find them.  He then also was digging around for information and realized that people with disabilities were hidden from public view. 

·         Inspired by this discovery, in 1919 Allen founded what became known as the National Society for Crippled Children, the first organization of its kind.

·         Today we serve over One million children & adults with disabilities at over 450 locations across the country.

·         In the spring of 1934, the organization launched its first Easter “seals” campaign to raise money for its services.  To show their support, donors placed the seals on envelopes and letters. 

 

 

·         The lily, a symbol of spring, was officially incorporated as Easter Seals’ logo in 1952 for its association with new life and has appeared on each seal since.

·         The overwhelming public support for the Easter “seals” campaign triggered a nationwide expansion of the organization and a swell of grassroots efforts on behalf of people with disabilities.  By 1967, the Easter “seal” was so well recognized that the organization formally adopted the name “Easter Seals.”

Thank you for joining us on Memories Monday. Join us again next week for the rest of the story!

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