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Easter Seals Ontario is getting ready to host its 12th annual Dancing with Easter Seals Stars – 'A Night at the Movies' event and will honour a long-serving Barrie woman who was tragically killed late last year.
The sold-out event will take place on Feb. 24 at the Caruso Club in Sudbury and will help raise money to support children and youth with physical disabilities.
Erica Vanclief, 46, of Barrie, was an Easter Seals team member who died in a head-on collision on Highway 26 in Clearview Township on Dec. 19, 2022.
Five scholarships are being created in her memory.
Vanclief had been with the organization for more than 22 years and was the manager of services for Easter Seals Ontario at the time of her death.
In a statement about the upcoming show, MJ Pappin, who is the community engagement officer for Sudbury/North Bay at Easter Seals Ontario, spoke highly of Vanclief and explained why the scholarships are needed.
“Erica was a remarkable individual who dedicated over 22 years to serving children and youth with physical disabilities,” said Pappin. “While our entire Easter Seals community is still heartbroken over the loss of our team member and friend, we are grateful to have the opportunity to honour her incredible legacy through the generous support of Dance Evolution.”
In a statement provided to BarrieToday following the deadly crash, Easter Seals touched on what kind of a person Vanclief was and what she meant to the organization.
“Erica was a true champion for the children and families of Easter Seals. She had a profound sense of duty and commitment, working tirelessly and putting in long hours to fulfill requests and ensure families received responses and funding as quickly as possible,” said in a statement.
“Over the last two decades, Erica made a meaningful difference in the lives of thousands of Easter Seals children and families."
Dance Evolution is a Sudbury-based dance studio who announced the release of five scholarships for their Inclusive Movement Program for local Easter Seals youth.
"At Dance Evolution, we believe that dance is not only an art form, but also a powerful tool for personal growth and self-expression. We strive to create a safe, inclusive space where students of all abilities can come together to learn, grow, and make a positive impact on our community," said Taylor Austin of Dance Evolution.
"Our Inclusive Movement Program is designed to make dance and movement accessible to those with developmental and/or physical special needs," Austin added. "We are honoured to be able to support these individuals in such a meaningful way through the scholarships offered through our partnership with Easter Seals Ontario."
Votes will be accepted – both online and at the event – to crown the People’s Choice winner and, true to the element of competition, celebrity judges will determine who will be the winning duo of the evening.
All funds raised through Dancing with Easter Seals Stars Sudbury will go toward Easter Seals Ontario’s programs and services that help children and youth with physical disabilities reach their full potential and make the most of their abilities.
For more on what Easter Seals does in the community, click here.
Shawn Gibson
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