In 1907, Ohio-businessman Edgar Allen lost his son in a streetcar accident. The lack of adequate medical services available to save his son prompted Allen to sell his business and begin a fund-raising campaign to build a hospital in his hometown of Elyria, Ohio. Through this new hospital, Allen was surprised to learn that children with disabilities were often hidden from public view. Inspired by this discovery, in 1919 Allen founded what became known as the National Society for Crippled Children, the first organization of its kind. The Birth of the Seal in the spring of 1934, the organization launched its first Easter "seals" campaign to raise money for its services. To show their support, donors placed the seals on envelopes and letters. Cleveland Plain Dealer cartoonist J.H. Donahey designed the first seal. Donahey based the design on a concept of simplicity because those served by the charity asked "simply for the right to live a normal life." The lily - a symbol of spring - was officially incorporated as Easter Seals' logo in 1952 for its association with resurrection and new life and has appeared on each seal since. Easter Seals Emerges as a result of the overwhelming public support for the Easter "seals" campaign triggered a nationwide expansion of the organization and a swell of grassroots efforts on behalf of people with disabilities. By 1967, the Easter "seal" was so well recognized, the organization formally adopted the name "Easter Seals." The NARA/Easter Seals Child Development Center provides developmentally appropriate curriculum experiences and activities, as well as therapeutic intervention for those children in need of such services. Our programs promote an academic environment as children explore and discover activities that challenge and promote their development and prepare them for success in kindergarten and beyond. An inclusive environment allows us to individualize children 's learning from children who are typically developing to children who have special needs. Service may include occupational, physical or speech therapy. Our Goal is to maximize the physical,cognitive, social and emotional development of children while developing the children's highest potential and an enthusiasm for learning that will last a lifetime.
