Friendly’s Announces 30th Annual ‘Cones for Kids’ Campaign for Easter Seals

Fundraiser to Support Easter Seals Camp Friendly’s

On January 10, 2011, Friendly Ice Cream Corporation will launch its 30th annual ‘Cones for Kids’ campaign. The Valentine’s Day fundraiser will benefit 30 Easter Seals Camp Friendly’s program locations.

For a $1 donation, Friendly’s provides restaurant guests with five Valentine’s Day cards, redeemable for free Friendly’s Kids Cones plus a $5 off a $25 purchase coupon for parents. The campaign runs January 10 through February 13, 2011.

Funds raised will support Easter Seals Camp Friendly’s programs essential to building a sense of independence and accomplishment.

Celebrating 30 Years of Cones for Kids
Friendly’s successful ‘Cones for Kids’ campaign is an annual tradition where employees across the restaurant chain help change the lives of thousands of children with disabilities through their efforts. The campaign has raised more than $26 million to date -- more than $785,000 in 2010 alone -- to benefit Easter Seals Camp Friendly’s program locations across the country.

"Friendly's Cones for Kids event is a fun way for kids in the Rhode Island area to play an active role in the positive development of children faced with physical, mental and developmental challenges," said Larry Gammon, President and CEO of Easter Seals, who noted that funds raised through the campaign will support Easter Seals Camp Friendly's programs. According to Gammon, camp provides an opportunity for kids with disabilities to be included in regular camp activities like boating and canoeing, swimming, archery, ropes courses, horseback riding, hiking, basketball and fishing.

About Friendly Ice Cream Corporation
Friendly Ice Cream Corporation is a vertically integrated restaurant company serving signature sandwiches, entrees and ice cream desserts in a friendly, family environment with system-wide sales of $700 million and distribution through more than 4,000 retail locations. With a 75-year operating history, Friendly's enjoys strong brand recognition and is currently revitalizing its restaurants and introducing new products to grow its customer base. For additional information please visit http://www.friendlys.com/.

About Easter Seals
The mission of Easter Seals Rhode Island is to provide exceptional services to ensure that all people with disabilities or special needs and their families have equal opportunities to live, learn, work and play in their communities. Last year, Easter Seals Rhode Island served over 240 children through early intervention services. For more information about Easter Seals Rhode Island please call 401-284-1000 or visit http://www.eastersealsri.org/.

Easter Seals is the leading non-profit provider of services for individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, physical and mental disabilities, and other special needs. For more than 85 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 in their communities. Support children and adults with disabilities at http://www.eastersealsri.org/.

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