Avril Lavigne Announces Second Annual Camp S.T.A.R.S. Summer Camp Scholarship Program for Kids with Disabilities
(PRWEB) July 03, 2014 -- The Avril Lavigne Foundation and Easter Seals announced that the CAMP S.T.A.R.S. program, designed to give children with disabilities the chance to attend summer camp, will continue for a second year. The program is part of the Avril Lavigne Foundation’s Rockstar Club at Easter Seals, designed to support recreational programming for kids and youth with disabilities to explore their talents, make friends, have fun and learn new skills.
Launched in 2012, the CAMP S.T.A.R.S. program was inspired by Avril Lavigne’s experiences visiting and supporting Easter Seals Summer Camp programs throughout the U.S. and Canada, as well as her personal experiences growing up. “I’m so thrilled to continue this program this summer. We heard so many great stories from the program last year – I can’t wait to hear more!” said Avril. “The Avril Lavigne Foundation is focused on helping kids with serious illnesses or disabilities to have fun, make new friends and build skills, and summer camp is one of the best places for that to happen.”
Avril Lavigne is encouraging fans and supporters worldwide to share their summer memories via the hashtag #SummerSTARS to join in the fun and raise awareness for the Avril Lavigne Foundation and Easter Seals.
The CAMP S.T.A.R.S. program, which stands for Summer Time Avril Rock Stars, will continue at five Easter Seals camps this summer across the U.S. and Canada, including Easter Seals Southern California, Easter Seals Washington, Easter Seals North Carolina & Virginia, Easter Seals Greater Houston, and Easter Seals Alberta, Canada. The Avril Lavigne Foundation will fund camp scholarships for 50 children during the summer of 2014, most of whom live at or below the poverty level and would otherwise not be able to attend camp.
“We’re so lucky to have such an incredible partner in Avril and The Avril Lavigne Foundation. She cares deeply about making sure kids and young people with disabilities have every opportunity to live life to the fullest, pursue their dreams, and find happiness,” says James E. Williams, Jr., president and chief executive officer, Easter Seals. “She’s also passionate about sharing a message of inclusion, that kids and young people with disabilities want to laugh, have fun with their friends, and just fit in – like all of us.”
About Avril Lavigne
Avril Lavigne is a multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated singer/ songwriter and philanthropist. Her experience working with and meeting children who are seriously ill or who have disabilities inspired her to form The Avril Lavigne Foundation in 2010. She also currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Nancy Davis Foundation for Multiple Sclerosis and has publicly supported a number of charitable organizations over the years, including Amnesty International, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, War Child, and Special Olympics.
About The Avril Lavigne Foundation
Award-winning singer/songwriter and philanthropist Avril Lavigne created The Avril Lavigne Foundation in early 2010. The Avril Lavigne Foundation R.O.C.K.S.: providing Respect, Opportunity, Choices, Knowledge, and Strength in support of children and youth living with serious illnesses or disabilities. The Foundation partners with leading charitable organizations to design and deliver programs, raise awareness and mobilize support for children and youth living with a serious illness or a disability.
About Easter Seals
Easter Seals is the leading non-profit provider of services for individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, physical disabilities and other special needs. For nearly 100 years, we have been offering help and hope to children and adults living with disabilities, and to the families who love them. Through therapy, training, education and support services, Easter Seals creates life-changing solutions so that people with disabilities can live, learn, work and play. Support children and adults with disabilities at http://www.easterseals.com.
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Rachel Talen, Easter Seals, http://easterseals.com, +1 312-551-7246, [email protected]
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