COVID-19 Strategy Update (3/1/2021)

A Message from our CEO, Wendy Sullivan

Dear Friends,

The past year has certainly had its fair share of both hope and uncertainty. The challenges and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic remain vast, but Easterseals is committed to our mission as we move forward.

As 1A Phase 1 essential healthcare providers, I am pleased to share that over the last month we have been able to partner with other healthcare providers to host a number of mass vaccination clinics and one-off appointments for more than 750 staff members in Bolivar, Cape Girardeau, Hannibal, Joplin, Kansas City, Springfield, St. Joseph, and St. Louis. Nearly 55% of our total staff has started or completed the vaccination process.

We have been able to secure vaccines for many of the most at-risk individuals we support. We have a bit of a way to go towards ensuring everyone who wants the vaccine can get one, and we have left the choice of getting the vaccine up to our staff and those we support. While we hope most will, it is their decision to make.

Strategic Plan

Over the past year, we’ve worked hard to develop a strategic plan to move our organization forward. We made this plan guided by your unique input as donors. We were also able to connect with our staff, the individuals we support and their families, and community partners to help us focus on what matters most. Through surveys, focus groups, and interviews, we have made sure this strategic plan not only highlights what we are doing right but also strengthens and resolves the areas with room for improvement. As a response to our community’s feedback, we have committed to four promises to lead us into the future:

1. We will provide the best disability support to everyone who needs us.
2. We will be a diverse and inclusive workplace.
3. We will advocate for the people we support and our workforce.
4. We will be financially strategic to fuel innovation and growth.

We have created an entire online space for you to follow our success and receive updates.

You can read more about our strategy at onwardtogether.squarespace.com or watch our video here: https://tinyurl.com/STPV21

Upcoming

Last spring as we headed into an uncertain time and canceled many events, we hosted our first ever fully online auction - Easterseal’s Hello Spring! A Virtual Pop-Up Shop and Online Auction. We will be holding our second annual Pop-Up Shop and Online Auction from March 22 to 31, 2021. This year’s auction will feature items like jewelry, housewares, and more. It’s a great way to shop for yourself or a loved one while supporting the more than 5,000 individuals who count on Easterseals each year for services. Plus, it’s free to participate! Visit https://one.bidpal.net/hellospring starting March 20, 2021, to sign up for free and preview the auction.

Our 35th annual Par-Tee Dinner Auction and Tee It Up Golf Tournament has been rescheduled for September 19 and 20, 2021, at Meadowbrook Country Club. Our committee is working to ensure this milestone year is the best yet while keeping everyone’s health and safety top of mind. Keep an eye on your inbox for more information on sponsorship opportunities and ticket packages.

Finally, as we commemorate the past year of lockdowns and remember those we have lost, I want to take a moment to thank each of you for continuing to support Easterseals during this difficult time. Like everyone, I’m hopeful that we will soon be returning to some version of normal life.

Sincerely,

Wendy Sullivan,
Chief Executive Officer

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