PASADENA, Calif., Jan. 01, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Easterseals is proud to announce that its 2019 Rose Parade® float, “Celebrating Easterseals: 100 Years of Disability Services,” took home the “Leishman Public Spirit Award” from the 2019 Rose Parade for the most outstanding floral presentation from a non-commercial participant. This is the organization’s first float entry and win as part of the historic annual event.
“Celebrating Easterseals: 100 Years of Disability Services” debuted a vibrant floral display to celebrate Easterseals’ impact on millions of people across the country through its disability services. The float featured a 20-foot-tall birthday cake iced in crisp white coconut flakes and lined with more than 3,000 hot pink Princess roses, flickering 100 th anniversary candles and images of people with and without disabilities joined together near a swirl of orange and yellow marigolds and gold strawflower.
With Easterseals’ vision of building a more inclusive future for the more than 61 million Americans with disabilities, each playfully wrapped package on the float highlighted the organization’s breadth of exceptional services to make sure people with disabilities have every opportunity to “live”, “learn”, “work”, and “play” in their communities. A kaleidoscope of brilliant colors and patterns that radiated from spinning pinwheels, colorful noise makers, confetti and floral fireworks added to the festivities.
Nine Easterseals clients ranging in age from 12 to 68 years old flew in from around the country to ride atop the float alongside three Easterseals staff who provide these life-changing services. Keeping with the Rose Parade theme, “The Melody of Life,” the song “Firework” by Katy Perry resounded from the float, further contributing to the joyful celebration.
“As this is our first year in the iconic Tournament of Roses parade, we are amazed and thrilled to have received Leishman Public Spirit Award,” said Mark Whitley, CEO, Easterseals Southern California. “As we ring in the new year, Easterseals is kicking off a celebration of 100 years of empowering those living with disabilities. We encourage every individual to make it their resolution to help build a more inclusive future for all communities.”
Created by Fiesta Parade Floats, “Celebrating Easterseals: 100 Years of Disability Services,” stood at 55 feet long, 18 feet wide and 22 feet tall.
ABOUT EASTERSEALS For nearly 100 years, Easterseals has been the indispensable resource for people and families facing disability. Through the work we do in communities across America, Easterseals is changing the way the world defines and views disability by making positive, profound differences in people’s lives every day. For more information visit www.easterseals.com .
ABOUT THE PASADENA TOURNAMENT OF ROSES ® The Tournament of Roses is a volunteer organization that hosts America’s New Year Celebration® with the Rose Parade® presented by Honda, the Rose Bowl Game® presented by Northwestern Mutual and a variety of accompanying events. 935 volunteer members of the association will drive the success of 130th Rose Parade themed “The Melody of Life,” on Tuesday, January 1, 2019, followed by the 105th Rose Bowl Game. For more information, visit www.tournamentofroses.com . Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter , Instagram and YouTube .
Media Contact: Melissa England melissae@finnpartners.com C: 818-270-8638
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/Attachm...57d5acc50b
