Halifax’s 21st annual Drop Zone fundraiser is underway, with participants rappelling down 1801 Hollis St. to raise money for Easter Seals Nova Scotia programs, including Camp Tidnish.
Joanne Bernard, president and CEO of Easter Seals Nova Scotia, says she’s excited to be taking part in the event.
“It’s an event that’s all across the country. Everything we raise here today stays in Nova Scotia and goes towards our programs, particularly Camp Tidnish, which is in its 89th year.”
Easter Seals supports about 2,700 Nova Scotians each year. Bernard says Camp Tidnish is the province’s only camp for children, youth, adults and seniors with disabilities, while the organization also provides programs ranging from inclusive sports to mobility equipment.
More than 40 people registered for this year’s rappel challenge. To take part, Bernard says participants must raise at least $1,500.
“Some didn’t raise enough money, and if you don’t raise the money, you can’t repel.”
Bernard says the fundraiser has raised “well over $80,000” over the years and remains the organization’s signature fundraising event.
“People have a lot of fun doing it. I did it back in 2014. You raise money for a great cause, and you knock something off your bucket list.”
She says many participants return year after year.
“Some people do it once and say ‘okay, I did it’, but others keep coming back.”
Bernard says many participants have personal connections to Easter Seals.
“We had moms this morning whose children live with disabilities and are connected to our programs and it’s their way of giving back to us because we offer so many services to their family.”
Funds raised help support programs that do not receive core funding, including Camp Tidnish.
“Camp Tidnish is not a funded program within our organization. The actual cost to send someone to camp is close to $2200 for the week,” says Bernard.
“Because we provide a lot of staff, we provide dietitians, we provide nurses, because it has to be a safe place that meets the needs of people with differing challenges, we charge $975, so that subsidized rate has to come from somewhere, and so our fundraising throughout the year helps us with that.”
Bernard says Easter Seals also offers a variety of inclusive recreation programs, including basketball, hockey and dance.
“We raise money to run those programs for kids because every kid deserves to play. Everybody who wants to have an overnight recreational camping experience deserves to have that.”
She adds the camp provides important respite for families and caregivers.
“They know that their loved one is safe and that they’re having a great time and it’s basically their vacation.”
The fundraiser takes place at what Bernard says is the tallest office building east of Montreal, standing 22 storeys high. She believes Drop Zone is the only challenge of its kind in the Maritimes.
“It started here and we’ve raised a lot of money over the years to help us keep our programs going. It really is a wonderful day.”
