Friendly’s Ice Cream Launches Cones for Kids Fundraiser

28th Annual Cones Fundraiser to Benefit Local Easter Seals

Lehigh Valley, PA – February 3, 2008--Friendly’s Ice Cream Corporation has launched Cones for Kids, its annual Valentine’s Day fundraiser to benefit Easter Seals’ camp and leadership programs for children and teens with disabilities.

Now in its 28th year, Cones for Kids has raised more than $25 million for Easter Seals at its restaurants throughout the Northeast. The goal for 2009 is to raise $1 million to benefit nearly 28 Easter Seals camping programs.

Each Friendly’s Restaurant customer who makes a $1 donation to Easter Seals will receive five Kids’ Valentine’s Day cards redeemable for a free Kids ice cream cone. Customers will also receive a coupon for $5 off of a $25 purchase. Friendly’s locations have begun the fundraiser and will continue it until February 14.

“Even when it’s cold outside, everyone loves an ice cream cone,” says Alan Pantuso, vice president of Revere Restaurant Group which owns 12 Friendly’s Restaurants in the Lehigh Valley and Berks County. “And each winter we look forward to this program and doing our part to help Easter Seals and all the terrific work they do for kids with disabilities.”

The dollars raised through Cones for Kids support Easter Seals camping programs essential to building a sense of independence and accomplishment among children and teenagers living with disabilities. Camp provides them an opportunity to participate in activities like swimming, sports, music, and to enjoy field trips to exciting community events.

“It always impresses me how committed Friendly’s is to engaging its employees, restaurant guests and local communities in our cause,” said Nancy Teichman, president of Easter Seals Eastern Pennsylvania. “Cones for Kids is the cornerstone of our two organizations’ 28-year-strong partnership.” Easter Seals is looking forward to recognizing Friendly’s great contributions toward their camping program at family night cookouts to be held in Bethlehem and Reading in early August.

ABOUT EASTER SEALS

http://www.esep.easterseals.com/
Easter Seals brings help, hope and answers to adults and children with physical disabilities and developmental delays through in-home and center-based occupational, speech and physical therapy. For more than 85 years, Easter Seals has offered assessment, treatment, family support and community education, assisted children and adults living with disabilities -- and the families who love them -- to lead healthy, productive lives.

Easter Seals Eastern Pennsylvania annually provides services to more than 3,000 adults and children in a seven-county region that encompasses Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton, Pike and Schuylkill Counties.

Easter Seals implements programs and services through three regional offices located in Bethlehem, East Stroudsburg, and Reading with all operations coordinated through the administrative office located in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Nationally, Easter Seals is the leading non-profit provider of services for individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, physical and mental disabilities, and other special needs.

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 in 505 company and franchised restaurants throughout the Northeast. The company also manufactures ice cream, which is distributed through more than 4,000 supermarkets and other retail locations. With a 72-year operating history, Friendly's enjoys strong brand recognition and is currently remodeling its restaurants and introducing new products to grow its customer base. Additional information on Friendly Ice Cream Corporation can be found at www.friendlys.com.

Media Contact:

Gwen Hoover
Director of Public Relations
1020 Chestnut Street
Emmaus, PA 18049
610-421-8601
gwen@altitudemarketing.com

This release was published on openPR.