Easter Seals P.E.I. school tour beat last year's total by $13K, and it's not too late to give

P.E.I.'s 2025 Easter Seal Ambassador's School Tour has come to an end, raising over $61,000 for the charity, which is $13,000 more than last year's fundraiser did.

Eight-year-old Ellerslie Elementary School student Remi Dean, who has cerebral palsy, completed her province-wide tour on April 30 after visiting 62 schools, raising a total of $61,125.11 with around $6,000 of that coming from her own school.

Easter Seals executive director Helen Chapman said in a statement that the charity is proud of Remi's work.

"Not only did she increase awareness about living with a disability, she inspired all Islanders young and old."

The Easter Seals organization has been fundraising on P.E.I. for children with disabilities since 1956. Two of its major fundraising activities are the Tim Hortons Ambassador's School Tour and the UNSTOPPABLE Campaign.

Some of the ways donated money is being spent:

• A grant to Parkdale Elementary School to get new swings,
• Money for Kids West Family Resource Centre to buy more accessible playground equipment, and
• Contributions to inclusive education programs at Montague Regional High School and Westisle Composite High School.

Contributions are also going to organizations such as the Autism Society of P.E.I., ParaSport and Recreation P.E.I., and the Joyriders Therapeutic Riding Association. 

P.E.I.’s Easter Seals ambassador is hitting the road to spread her message at Island schools

19 days ago

Duration 2:02

Eight-year-old Remi Dean is P.E.I.'s 2025 Easter Seals ambassador, helping raise money and awareness for people living with disabilities. She started out on the annual school tour with her motto in mind: "Remember, you can do hard things." CBC's Tony Davis reports.

Remi's mother, Danielle Dean, is grateful to all those "amazing' people who welcomed her daughter during her tour.

"I'm so proud of her and I'm, like, so thankful to all the students, teachers, parents — everyone who helped welcome her... It was just amazing to see," Dean said.

Remi will continue as ambassador for the rest of the year. Though her school tour has ended, donations can be given year round on the Easter Seals website.

Remi's message that she wanted to leave with Islanders as she toured across the Island is this: "And always remember that you can do hard things."