New Center for Cerebral Palsy Receives Funding Boost From Congressman Ray LaHood
October 2008, Peoria, IL – Although Simantel has helped Peoria’s local Easter Seals affiliate with its largest fundraising event for more than five years, the Tribute Dinner’s fundraising efforts took on added proportions in 2008, thanks to the global reach of native son Congressman Ray LaHood and his wife Kathy.
To acknowledge the LaHoods’ legacy of service, Easter Seals is creating The Ray and Kathy LaHood Center for Cerebral Palsy. Established through an unprecedented collaboration between Easter Seals, The University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria, The Children’s Hospital of Illinois and Bradley University, among others, the Center will bring substantially expanded care and research capabilities to its 21-county service area.
While the annual event most recently raised $250,000, this year’s goal for Phase 1 development of the Center was $1 million. Happily, the local affiliate has nearly met that goal and is confident that Phase 1 of the Center will open in late 2009. Simantel was honored to donate the fundraising brochure, outdoor and print advertising, Tribute Dinner invitations and programs to Easter Seals.
