Avril Lavigne Kicks Off Fundraising Campaign to Support Special Olympics
Multi-platinum recording artist, Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter and philanthropist Avril Lavigne, has teamed up with CrowdRise, an online fundraising platform, to support Special Olympics. Proceeds from the "Team Rockstar" campaign, which launches today, will sponsor athletes competing in the 2015 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles.
Avril Lavigne Announces Second Annual Camp S.T.A.R.S. Summer Camp Scholarship Program for Kids with Disabilities
The Avril Lavigne Foundation and Easter Seals announced that the CAMP S.T.A.R.S. program, designed to give children with disabilities the chance to attend summer camp, will continue for a second year. The program is part of the Avril Lavigne Foundation’s Rockstar Club at Easter Seals, designed to support recreational programming for kids and youth with disabilities to explore their talents, make friends, have fun and learn new skills.
Update from our Rockstar Clubs!
by The Avril Lavigne Foundation Share:
Hawaii:
We just got an awesome update from our Rockstar Club in Hawaii, where kids and teens with disabilities got together for a good time at a camp-wide dance. The event gave participants a way to get involved in an age-appropriate event that many of them might normally miss out on. One of the campers was so excited he said: “I can’t believe this is happening! I’m really doing it! Look I’m slow dancing, with a girl!” Our Rockstar Club teens have also been attending other fun outings this summer like a weekend day camp at Sea Life Park, separate boys and girls slumber parties, a trip to the zoo and a fun bowling trip with their families and friends.
Our Rockstar Club in Alberta has started using their new adaptive bikes made for anyone to be able to ride – both kids with and without disabilities! Below is a photo of one proud camper from Alberta riding one of the adaptive bikes for the first time ever. A counselor said she truly felt like a Rockstar riding through camp and was offering to sign autographs all day long!
Stay tuned for more fun updates throughout the summer!
Rockstar Club Update from Ohio!
We just got a great update from the Avril Lavigne Rockstar Club in Ohio, where kids & teens with disabilities are going out into the local community with their peers to engage in fun everyday teen activities. Click here for some of their first-hand stories and photos – sounds like fun!!!
Mattel Children's Hospital
Check out our update photo galleries from our visits to Mattel Children's Hospital in April & June this year!
Rockstar Club Update & Letter from a Mom
Last month Avril visited the Avril Lavigne Rockstar Club at Easter Seals in Southern California. She made chimes, danced, and sang karaoke with the kids who participate in the Rockstar Club. Click here to view photos from our visit.
We also spoke with one of the moms whose son participates in the Rockstar Club. She wrote Avril the below letter, which we wanted to share with our supporters. Your donations to the Avril Lavigne Foundation help make a difference!
“Dear Avril,
I just want to thank you for your commitment to helping children with disabilities and your work with Easter Seals. The Easter Seals program has been vital for my son to have after-care once school is over. He goes to Easter Seals with peers with disabilities and they have activities that are meaningful to them; singing, computers, videos and most importantly music.
There is just something universal about the importance and understanding of music to the brain that these children, with cognitive disabilities, understand. My son, Timmy is nonverbal and has autism. Since 6 mos old he has always responded to music. He can read and is absolutely mesmerized and motivated by the karaoke machine. Thank you again for improving the quality of my son’s and all of the children’s experience at Easter Seals.
Sincerely,
Corky”
Safeway’s Support for People with Disabilities Campaign Goes Behind the Scenes with Avril Lavigne
Offers Exclusive Videos from the Singer/Songwriter as Thank You to Customers who Support its Annual April Campaign for Easter Seals and Special Olympics
PLESANTON, Calif. (PRWEB) April 04, 2012
Safeway Inc. today launched its annual Support for People with Disabilities fundraising campaign to benefit Easter Seals, Special Olympics and an array of organizations that help people with disabilities live fuller, more independent lives.
This year, as a way to thank the thousands of customers and employees who generously support the campaign, Safeway is partnering with award-winning singer/songwriter and philanthropist Avril Lavigne and The Avril Lavigne Foundation to bring a new, exclusive video element and enhanced fundraising to the April effort.
“We are honored to be working with The Avril Lavigne Foundation to build even more excitement for our disabilities campaign and give our customers something unique as a thank you for their support – exclusive access to go behind the scenes with Avril,” said Larree Renda, Safeway Executive Vice President and Chair of the Safeway Foundation.
The Avril Lavigne Foundation Facebook Cover Photo Contest!
Facebook Timeline is coming to the Avril Lavigne Foundation Facebook Page and we need a new cover photo! That’s why we’re asking our fans & supporters to help us come up with a new design.
The ideal cover photo will embody the Avril Lavigne Foundation’s R.O.C.K.S. mission – providing Respect, Opportunity, Choices, Knowledge and Strength in support of children with serious illnesses or disabilities.
Term:
Submit your designs for our cover photo by March 28, 2012 at 11:59PM Pacific Standard Time to contact@theavrillavignefoundation.org with the subject “Facebook Cover Photo Contest” in the header. By submitting an entry, each contestant agrees to rules of the contest outlined below.
The winner will be contacted via email within two weeks of the contest submission deadline, and the winning design will be posted to https://www.facebook.com/theavrillavignefoundation for a minimum of one week during the month of April 2012.
Judging:
Avril Lavigne and The Avril Lavigne Foundation team will choose the winning design.
Prize:
The winner will receive a personalized autograph and Avril Lavigne merchandise grab bag.
Additional Details:
All submissions must be original works. The use of the Avril Lavigne Foundation Logo is encouraged and permitted.
By submitting an entry, entrants (including the parents or legal guardians of entrants who are minors) acknowledge and agree that The Avril Lavigne Foundation shall be the sole owner of any and all rights in and to the design included with the entry, including any and all rights with respect to the copyright of such design and any derivative use thereof. Entrants (including the parents or legal guardians of entrants who are minors) expressly acknowledge and agree that all copyrights or other rights connected with the designs shall be the sole and exclusive property of The Avril Lavigne Foundation, and entrants (including the parents or legal guardians of entrants who are minors) agree that they will not use such designs without the express written permission of The Avril Lavigne Foundation. The Avril Lavigne Foundation will not be required to pay any consideration or seek any additional approval in connection with such uses.
The contest is void where prohibited or restricted by law. The Avril Lavigne Foundation reserves the right to cancel the contest or modify these rules at its discretion. Decisions of the Avril Lavigne Foundation will be final.
Making music with the Avril Lavigne Rockstar Club at Easter Seals So Cal!
Another great update from Easter Seals! This time it’s from Easter Seals Southern California, where the Avril Lavigne Rockstar Club supports after school music lessons where kids make and play their own musical instruments. The program was also able to purchase new music equipment including an electronic drum set, keyboard and karaoke machine. “Everyone is so excited and happy about the new ‘Rock Star Club’ at College View,” says Easter Seals Program Director Rene Guevara. “It has been impressive to see a large group of children paying attention and learning basic concepts about music and instruments. Parents who showed up to pick up their children during class joined in, too.” Sounds like fun!
Rockstar Club Update from Massachusetts!
Easter Seals Massachusetts hosted their Explorer Camp reunion and celebration last month. 300 campers attended the event and made music-themed arts & crafts, played dress-up, gave performances and engaged in other recreational activities. There were also workshops for the youth leadership group and autism explorers to help campers get ready for the Avril Lavigne Rockstar Club at Easter Seals, which will include a program for kids to learn about how to put on their own “rock star” concert or talent show.
Proceeds from R.O.C.K.S. T-Shirt on Avril Lavigne’s Black Star Tour in Japan will support Mercy Corps Japan!
The Avril Lavigne Foundation will donate all net proceeds from the R.O.C.K.S. T-Shirt sold during the Black Star Tour in Japan this month toMercy Corps’ “Comfort for Kids” program. Comfort for Kids trains caregivers to help children through the trauma of disaster. You can also support Japan by purchasing the Abbey Dawn Love Japan T-Shirt, which is available now on AbbeyDawn.com.
Thank you!
The response to Avril’s video was so overwhelming that we have decided to double the number of personalized photos and thank you’s from 50 to 100.
We will contact the first 100 donors in early January 2012. The giveaway has concluded for 2011, but keep checking back for more fun ways to support our work!
We are incredibly grateful for your continued support. To donate, visit www.theavrillavignefoundation.org/support to contribute.
Happy Holidays from Avril and the Avril Lavigne Foundation!
We hope you’ll consider making a donation this year to help us design more great programs for children living with a serious illness or disability. Watch Avril’s personal message below – The first 50 individuals who donate before December 31st will receive a personalized photo and thank you from Avril! Click here to donate.
Statement from The Avril Lavigne Foundation
Avril Lavigne and The Avril Lavigne Foundation have donated over 7,000 tickets throughout the Canadian leg of The Black Star Tour to the Canadian Forces, Easter Seals and Hospitals in Canada that are part of the Children’s Miracle Network.
We would like to express our gratitude to the staff members of all of these organizations who have helped us to distribute these tickets across 16 cities on this tour. We apologize to those families of the Canadian Forces who were not able to attend the London concert- there appears to have been a miscommunication at the box office and an allotment of tickets went unused.
The Avril Lavigne Foundation will continue to find new ways to provide opportunities for children, their families, and communities in Canada.
Bid to support the Avril Lavigne Foundation!
You can bid online now to support the Avril Lavigne Foundation!
Click here to bid on two tickets and the opportunity to rock out on stage with Avril during the Black Star Tour in Paris and London! Net proceeds will benefit the Avril Lavigne Foundation to support programs, raise awareness and mobilize support for children and youth living with a serious illness or a disability.
This is a special, limited-time auction for Avril’s shows in Paris on September 17th and London on September 22nd. The auction for Paris closes September 9th and London closes September 15th.
Click here to learn more and bid now!
The Avril Lavigne Foundation, Easter Seals Announce Avril Lavigne Rockstar Club
by User Share:
Giving Kids & Youth with Disabilities the Opportunity to Express Their Individuality & Have Fun
The Avril Lavigne Foundation announced today the creation of the Avril Lavigne Rockstar Club at Easter Seals, an initiative to support recreational programming for children and youth with disabilities, their families, and communities. The first four Easter Seals affiliates selected to receive an Avril Lavigne Rockstar Club at Easter Seals grant are Easter Seals Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana in Ohio; Easter Seals Capper Foundation in Kansas; Easter Seals Massachusetts; and Easter Seals Southern California.
Earlier this year, Easter Seals affiliates from across the U.S. and Canada were invited to apply for an Avril Lavigne Rockstar Club at Easter Seals grant. The grants’ initiative evolved from the collaboration between Easter Seals and The Avril Lavigne Foundation originally announced in September 2010 to identify and support recreational programs for kids with disabilities and their families and communities. Thirty affiliates applied for a grant. Following a review of the top 12 applicants, award-winning singer/songwriter and philanthropist Avril Lavigne and The Avril Lavigne Foundation selected four Easter Seals grant recipients.
“It was really tough to pick just four,” said Lavigne. “I was inspired by the creativity of everyone who applied and the exciting range of opportunities the Easter Seals affiliates presented. Recreational programs allow children and young people with disabilities to develop critical social and emotional skills and also just have fun. As great as these programs are, a lot of times when budgets are tight these will be the first programs cut. My goal is to help bring more resources to these great programs.”
The four initial grant recipients were chosen based on their overall impact and embodiment of the Avril Lavigne Foundation’s R.O.C.K.S. mission: R espect, O pportunity, C hoices, K nowledge, and S trength.
The unique programs supported by the grant will include a program to connect teens with disabilities with other kids in their community at Easter Seals Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana in Ohio; an art camp at Easter Seals Capper Foundation; an overnight camp at Easter Seals Massachusetts; and an afterschool music program at Easter Seals Southern California. To learn more about these exciting programs, please visit The Avril Lavigne Foundation website at www.theavrillavignefoundation.org.
“We’re so lucky to have such an incredible partner in Avril and The Avril Lavigne Foundation. She cares deeply about making sure kids and young people with disabilities have every opportunity to live life to the fullest, pursue their dreams, and find happiness. She’s also passionate about sharing a message of inclusion, that kids and young people with disabilities want to laugh, have fun with their friends, and just fit in – like all of us,” says James E. Williams, Jr., president and chief executive officer, Easter Seals. “We also know when it comes to Easter Seals, Avril was most inspired by our recreational programming – services where kids and teens with disabilities can just be kids through social events, music, theater, sports, arts, leisure time, hobbies, getting out in the community and camp. That’s what The Avril Lavigne Rockstar Club at Easter Seals is all about.”
Avril talks about her work with the Avril Lavigne Foundation on AOL Music.
Excerpt:
"We had a chance to talk last year at Nancy Davis' Race to Erase MS about your clothing line and all the different things you do. How do all the different entities merge for you? How do your side projects influence your music?
I've had an incredible opportunity to have a clothing line and that's called Abbey Dawn. I have two fragrances, Black Star and Forbidden Rose, and the newest thing, which is very important to me, is starting the Avril Lavigne Foundation, and a little bit of acting and, of course, music. To be able to grow and expand and touch on other areas is part of who I am tremendously. I am very involved. It is a reflection of me, it all goes hand-in-hand because it is mine and I'm designing or creating fragrances and it all ties in with my music.
How is the Avril Lavigne Foundation going?
It's very exciting for me because through my career I've had the opportunity to work with really great foundations like Make-A-Wish and contributing to different compilation albums. For me, it felt really good and it was part of my responsibility to give back if you can in any way. I started the Avril Lavigne Foundation and my focus is on sick and disabled children and youth. I'm developing that now and getting it on its feet and I'm very excited. I'm very excited to announce that shortly."
Avril Lavigne - Avril Lavigne Gives Grants To Youth Programmes
Singer Avril Lavigne has taken it upon herself to help support those living with disabilities by providing special grants through her new charity.
The Complicated hitmaker, who created The Avril Lavigne Foundation last year (10), has partnered with officials at Easter Seals, a non-profit organisation which provides fun activities to those with special needs.
And as part of her goodwill mission, Lavigne has given away four additional bursaries to help various Easter Seals centres across America stay afloat while faced with economic hardship.
She says, "Recreational programmes allow children and young people with disabilities to develop critical social and emotional skills and also just have fun. As great as these programmes are, a lot of times when budgets are tight these will be the first programmes cut. My goal is to help bring more resources to these great programmes."
A number of the grant recipients plan to expand their programming to include after-school music lessons and art camps.
Avril Lavigne Teams Up With Easter Seals To Help Disabled Children
Singer Avril Lavigne has taken it upon herself to help support those living with disabilities by providing special grants through her new charity.
The Complicated hit-maker, who created The Avril Lavigne Foundation last year, has partnered with officials at Easter Seals, a non-profit organization which provides fun activities to those with special needs.
And as part of her goodwill mission, Lavigne has given away four additional bursaries to help various Easter Seals centers across America stay afloat while faced with economic hardship.
She says, "Recreational programs allow children and young people with disabilities to develop critical social and emotional skills and also just have fun. As great as these programs are, a lot of times when budgets are tight these will be the first programs cut. My goal is to help bring more resources to these great programs."
A number of the grant recipients plan to expand their programming to include after-school music lessons and art camps.
Capper Foundation Receives Avril Lavigne Grant
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - A popular singer will help some local children with disabilities truly rock.
Topeka's Easter Seals Capper Foundation learned Friday it's one of the first four grant recipients from the newly created Avril Lavigne Rockstar Club. It's a collaboration with the national Easter Seals organization to support recreational programs for children with disabilities.
Capper will use its grant for an art therapy camp. The first are planned for this fall. They'll take place for three hours on a Saturday and be staffed by Emporia State Univerity art therapy students and a licensed art therapist. Children will explore their individual creative skills and develop social skills.
“Some children with disabilities require round-the-clock supervision; this camp will provide a fun morning of learning and creating for these young Rock Stars, it will also provide a brief respite for their parents as well," Easter Seals Capper Foundation CEO Jim Leiker said. "We are excited to be one of four national affiliates selected to partner with Avril Lavigne, her foundation and Easter Seals – it speaks highly of our organization, Topeka, and the northeast Kansas community. Avril Lavigne, a young, talented artist, actively demonstrates her passion about sharing a message of inclusion - that kids and young people with disabilities want to laugh, have fun with their friends, and just fit in – like all of us!”
Other grant recipients are in Youngstown, Ohio; Boston, M assachusetts; and Glendale, California.
For more information about the ARTSTAR camp at Easter Seals Capper Foundation, call 785-272-4060 or visit www.capper.easterseals.com or www.theavrillavignefoundation.org.
Avril Lavigne's Working for the Kids!
Spread the love. Avril Lavigne is raising support for the recovery of Japan’s children after the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami by selling “Abbey Dawn ♥ Japan” T-shirts from her Abbey Dawn line of clothing.
The T-shirts sell for $25, with 100 percent of the net proceeds going to The Avril Lavigne Foundation. It raises awareness and support for youth living with serious illnesses and disabilities and supports Mercy Corps’ “Comfort for Kids” program in Japan. Mercy Corps is also in partnership with Peace Winds.
“Comfort for Kids trains caregivers to help children through the trauma of disaster,” Avril said in a message. “The goal is to bring help and hope to the children and youth of Japan who have been affected by this disaster.”
It’s never too late to help. To purchase your own T-shirt and support the relief efforts in Japan, visit the Abbey Dawn site.
Avril Lavigne’s Charitable Tees by Abbey Dawn
Rally around Avril and The Avril Lavigne Foundation to support recovery for the earthquake and tsunami with Mercy Corps’ Comfort for Kids program in Japan – Abbey Dawn Japan T-shirt – now available!
The t-shirt is $25, with 100% of the net proceeds going to The Avril Lavigne Foundation to support Mercy Corps’ “Comfort for Kids” program, in partnership with local partner Peace Winds. Comfort for Kids trains caregivers to help children through the trauma of disaster. The goal is to bring help and hope to the children and youth of Japan who have been affected by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
The Avril Lavigne Foundation R.O.C.K.S. Respect, Opportunity, Choices, Knowledge, and Strength in support of children and youth living with serious illnesses and disabilities. The foundation partners with leading charitable organizations to design and deliver programs, raise awareness and mobilize support for children and youth living with a serious illness or a disability. To learn more about the Avril Lavigne Foundation, please visit theavrillavignefoundation.org
Avril Lavigne: Abbey Dawn Japan Tee!
Avril Lavigne drops by The Grove on Tuesday (July 12) to chat with Mario Lopez on Extra in Los Angeles.
The 26-year-old Canadian rocker wore an Abbey Dawn tee that she designed to support Japan. 100% of the proceeds will go toward the Avril Lavigne Foundation to support Mercy Corps‘ “Comfort for Kids” program, providing post trauma assistance to kids after the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
You can pick up your own tee over at AbbeyDawn.com.
Support Japan with Avril Lavigne!
Although the devastating earthquake and tsunami hit Japan a few months ago, we still need to continue to support Japan as well as aid them in their recovery efforts. It is for this reason that I recently bought this Abbey Dawn ♥ Japan T-shirt by Avril Lavigne, priced at just $25. Not only is the tee cute but I know that my purchase is going towards a good cause.
100% of the net proceeds are going to The Avril Lavigne Foundation to support Mercy Corps’ “Comfort for Kids” program, in partnership with local partner Peace Winds. Comfort for Kids trains caregivers to help children through the trauma of disaster. The goal is to bring help and hope to the children and youth of Japan who have been affected by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
Click Here To buy the AD Japan Oversize Tee
Click here to read the full article.
Avril Lavigne & Abbey Dawn Heart Japan
Add Avril Lavigne to the list of celebrities who are making relief efforts fashionable.
The Canadian singer has designed a $25 t-shirt under her Abbey Dawn clothing label to raise money for kids in Japan.
100% of the net proceeds of this product will go to The Avril Lavigne Foundation to support Mercy Corps’ "Comfort for Kids" program in Japan to provide post-trauma assistance to children following the Japan earthquake and pacific tsunami.
Click here to get yours
Click here to read the full article.
Avril Talks About the Hard Work that Goes into her Foundation in Rolling Stone
When Avril Lavigne decided to launch a foundation aiding children with disabilities last year, she quickly learned that doing the right thing was going to be harder than she thought. "It's such a major deal," says Lavigne. "You have to have everything in place and have to have a really good team. It's very serious. Music comes naturally. I have to push myself when I get up and talk about this in a room."
Lavigne is one of a growing group of musicians — including Madonna, John Legend, Bono, Shakira and Wyclef Jean — who have set up charities and foundations to tackle issues from world hunger to inner-city education. "The relationship between a musician and their audience is far more powerful than the one between an actor and their audience," says Trevor Neilson, co-founder of the Global Philanthropy Group, which assists artists (including Lavigne, Legend and Shakira) with their charitable efforts. "A musician with a large fan base has an opportunity to mobilize people that might be more powerful than their opportunity to write checks."
Avril Lavigne Designs and Sells "Abbey Dawn Hearts Japan" Charity T-Shirts
By Karen Bliss
Avril Lavigne has designed a T-shirt with heart. The Canadian pop singer, who has her own clothing line called Abbey Dawn, created the shirt to help raise money for those affected by the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated parts of Japan in March.
The T-shirts are black with a big red heart along with her brand name situated at the top and the word "Japan" at the bottom; together, it reads "Abbey Dawn ♥ Japan."
Lavigne who recently launched her own Foundation, eponymously named The Avril Lavigne Foundation, will filter 100 percent of the net proceeds from the sale of the shirts through her foundation to Mercy Corps, a worldwide organization that has the Comfort For Kids program in Japan and works alongside local partner Peace Winds.
T-shirt to Support Japan
Hi Everyone,
The t-shirt I designed to support Japan is now available on AbbeyDawn.com.
Each t-shirt is $25, with 100% of the net proceeds going to The Avril Lavigne Foundation to support Mercy Corps’ “Comfort for Kids” program, in partnership with local partner Peace Winds. Comfort for Kids trains caregivers to help children through the trauma of disaster. The goal is to bring help and hope to the children and youth of Japan who have been affected by this disaster.
Let’s continue to support Japan. Click here to view or purchase the t-shirt.
Love,
Avril
xo
Interview with the Sunrise Morning Show
Avril talks with the Sunrise morning show in Australia about how meeting children with disabilities and serious illnesses has inspired her to give back through the Avril Lavigne Foundation.
Lia Lazzarotto Make a Wish Update
In April 2006 Avril met cancer patient Lia Lazzarotto through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Today Lia is doing awesome at school, in sports and as a candy striper at the local hospital. Lia’s mom Liz sent the following message to Avril: “Thanks for your work with Make a Wish...sure helped in Lia's healing...sure helps all the kids and parents too!”
Lia Lazzarotto, pictured here in April 2006 – her wish was to meet Avril
The Clinton Global Initiative
Hey Everyone,
I wanted to update you guys on the Clinton Global Event that i attended in NYC a couple of weeks ago. I had never heard of this event before I started working on creating The Avril Lavigne Foundation. I just thought it would be a good chance for me to learn so I was really excited to be invited to go. You can also check out some of the videos they have online HERE.
I saw a session about how important it is to help girls because in many parts of the world girls are not treated as well as boys. There was a girl from India who spoke about how she decided to help the really poor girls in her country find good jobs because she was just lucky to have parents who were not poor. She was the youngest person at the conference.
Jim Carrey talked about a way to grow more rice using less water and less land- helping small farmers grow enough food to feed their families.
It was interesting to hear how texting, cell phones and stuff like Twitter, Facebook and the internet can really help the millions of people in the world living with disabilities do the same kinds of jobs as people without disabilities. This was great to hear since The Avril Lavigne Foundation is working with Easter Seals to help children and youth with disabilities.
Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Bush did a really good job talking about why education is so important.
The President of Haiti talked about what's happening in Haiti since the earthquake. There is still a lot of work that needs to be done to help the people who are still living in tents and the children who can't go to school.
President Obama introduced his wife Michelle. She talked about how important it is to support military families with jobs when they come out of the military.
I had such a good time at the event. Learned a lot and still have so much more to learn. I really hope to do more things like the Clinton Global Initiative, and meet more young people who want to get involved in some way in The Avril Lavigne Foundation.
Love,
Avril
AVRIL VISITS ABILITY FIRST
Hi Everyone,
I recently had the chance to visit several inspirational programs working with children here in Los Angeles. These visits really helped me develop the mission of The Avril Lavigne Foundation, and also introduced me to a lot of amazing young people and the organizations and people supporting them. One of the organizations I visited was called AbilityFirst. AbilityFirst offers many types of support programs for children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities www.abilityfirst.org.
Check out my recent visit to their Children’s After-School Enrichment Program at their East Los Angeles program center.
Avril
xo
Avril Lavigne Launches Foundation to Support Children and Youth with Disabilities and Serious Illnesses
The Avril Lavigne Foundation will partner with Easter Seals to fund programs for kids with disabilities and their families
Los Angeles, CA— Avril Lavigne, award-winning singer/songwriter and philanthropist, announced today the creation of The Avril Lavigne Foundation. The Avril Lavigne Foundation will partner with leading charitable organizations to design and deliver programs, raise awareness and mobilize support for children and youth with disabilities and serious illnesses.
MY CAUSE
Hey Everyone,
We just launched The Avril Lavigne Foundation and I am so excited to share with all of you why I am so passionate about supporting children and youth living with disabilities and serious illnesses.
I’m very fortunate to have had some incredible experiences through my music career and been able to meet so many cool people. I’m inspired every day by the people I meet and the amazing stories they share.
Over the years, what has inspired me is hearing about the personal experiences of my fans living with a serious illness or a disability. I am always amazed to see how these young people work so hard to not let their circumstances define them. They want what we all want: the chance to pursue their dreams, and to believe that anything in life is possible.
When I learned that more than 9 million kids in the United States have a special health care need, I decided that I wanted to do whatever I could to bring some fun and joy and inspiration into their lives, and of course support their health care needs in some way. It means a lot to me to be able to give back to the people who have inspired me so much.
I have been working with Make a Wish for many years to help seriously sick kids, and I am really excited to partner with Easter Seals in support of children and youth with disabilities. I will be sharing with you all a lot more in the coming year about what The Avril Lavigne Foundation is doing and how you can get involved if you want to support our efforts.
We each have the opportunity to make an impact on the world we live in and I try to remember that even doing one small thing each day to help others really can make a huge difference!
Thanks so much for visiting this site. It means a lot to me that you are here, learning about The Avril Lavigne Foundation and the kids we work with. I hope you will get involved – please sign up to receive updates.
Love,
Avril
XO
EASTER SEALS SITE VISIT
Hi Everyone,
Check out this video of a recent visit with the kids at the after school program in Glendale, CA run by Easter Seals. Easter Seals is The Avril Lavigne Foundation’s partner in the work we are doing to support children and youth with disabilities. I got to tour the state-of-the-art facilities and see the incredible support Easter Seals is able to provide these children. I’m looking forward to continuing my work with such a great organization. Click here for more information on Easter Seals.
Avril
Xo