Easter Seals and A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, Inc. Launch Crafting A Better World For Kids Spring Campaign

This spring, there is an easy and crafty way to ensure that all children have the right tools to succeed in the earliest years of life.  For the sixth consecutive year, A.C. Moore craft stores are teaming up with Easter Seals’ Make the First Five Count® to support child wellness, growth, and happiness through the first five years of development.

Consumers visiting participating A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts stores between March 15th and April 15th will have the opportunity to donate $1 to Easter Seals at checkout.  Funds raised will support Easter Seals’ Make the First Five Count® initiative including a free, comprehensive online screening tool to help parents assure that they’re children are meeting developmental milestones in the first five critical years of their child’s life. Since launching the campaign in 2010, A.C. Moore customers and store team members have raised over $500,000 for Easter Seals. 

“We know that the first five years of life are critical in a child’s development and long-term success.  While each child is unique and develops at his or her own pace, screenings can be an important tool because they meet children where they are and identify the specific skills they need to succeed. Easter Seals is proud to make available a free, comprehensive health screening tool to help all children reach their full potential,” said Katy Neas, Senior Vice President of Government Relations, Easter Seals.

In addition to the in-store campaign, families will be able to test out their crafting skills with the annual “Make & Take” event. On Saturday, March 21, 2015, at the participating 140+ locations, A.C. Moore customers will be encouraged to participate in a free in-store puzzle craft event from 1-3 p.m. Shoppers will create and assemble their own jigsaw puzzle, sharing their creations with A.C. Moore and Easter Seals via social media outlets.  

Why A.C. Moore and Easter Seals
Together, A.C. Moore and Easter Seals are igniting a movement designed to unite all parents and children through craft and cause. Easter Seals has walked alongside parents and families for almost 100 years.  We know that the first five years of a child’s life are the most critical ones for development, so it important to us that families receive proper knowledge, support, and care as they lay the foundation for their child’s long term skill and success.  

Crafting connects, says Neas: “Not only are crafts an enjoyable activity for children, simple crafting can also help children learn important skills that affect their overall development. Crafting is just one of the ways parents can observe their children’s developmental progress.”

About A.C. Moore
Named by Parents Magazine as one of the top 10 places for birthday parties, A.C. Moore offers a wide range of programs to engage adults and children in crafting, including workshops, demonstrations and “Make & Takes.”  In addition to traditional craft products, A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts is also well-known for its selection of scrapbooking, jewelry, floral, yarn, art supplies, children’s crafts kits and educational toys, along with ready-made frames and custom framing. 

With over 140 stores along the East Coast, A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, Inc. offers  family friendly crafting and provides and outstanding material value and assortment.  To locate your local A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, visit:  http://www.acmoore.com/,www.facebook.com/acmoore and www.twitter.com/officialacmoore.                      

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. For more information, resource, and ways you can help visit:www.easterseals.com or www.MaketheFirstFiveCount.org.