Emmy nominees applaud Easter Seals' services to military families and deliver a message of their own

CHICAGO, Sept. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Easter Seals, a disability services organization, releases an inspiring video featuring this year's Emmy-nominated actors who express their gratitude for the volunteer service and sacrifice of our returning veterans.   

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This past May, Easter Seals was the featured charity at Variety's Emmy Studio, a gathering of this year's Emmy nominees.    The venue gave Easter Seals an opportunity to share more about its work to support veterans return to civilian life and enlist the help of the entertainment community to reinforce America's appreciation for their service. 

"Welcome Home" begins with a message from Iraq war veteran and Marine Mervin Roxas, who is now a Program Coordinator at Easter Seals Southern California.  Mervin credits Easter Seals with helping him reintegrate after returning home from war.  "Easter Seals," he says, "played a big part."

At the Variety event, Mervin met one-on-one with actors to further explain the leading non-profit's approach to supporting veterans.  Actors featured on the video include: Don Cheadle (Showtime's House of Lies), Mayim Bialik (CBS' The Big Bang Theory), Charles Esten (ABC's Nashville), Hannah Simone (FOX' New Girl), Busy Philipps (ABC's Cougar Town), Adam Scott (ABC's Parks and Recreation), Hayden Panettiere (ABC's Nashville), William H. Macy (Showtime's Shameless), Kerry Washington (ABC's Scandal), Fred Armisen (IFC's Portlandia), Elisabeth Moss (AMC's Mad Men), Monica Potter (NBC's Parenthood), Laura Dern (HBO's Enlightened), Rainn Wilson (NBC's The Office), Jeremy Sisto (ABC's Suburgatory) and Mindy Kaling (FOX' The Mindy Project).

Last year, Easter Seals renewed its commitment to its Military & Veterans Initiative— a focus area of the organization that provides individualized support to returning veterans and their families as they re-enter civilian life. Easter Seals provides direct services and assistance in a variety of areas such as work force development, job placement assistance, family counseling, housing and access to healthcare and wellness programs. Last year, Easter Seals also partnered with COL. David Sutherland on Dixon Center working together to improve the lives of veterans and their families, strengthen communities to enable our veterans and their families to thrive where they live, and build partnerships, sharing innovations and connecting those who have served to supports and services.

Easter Seals believes returning veterans make valuable, long-lasting contributions in our community.  With more than one million military service personnel returning home in the coming year, some face challenges during transition and reintegration -- whether physical wounds, isolation, or exasperating emotional and psychological wounds. Easter Seals is committed to helping advance community service solutions on a national scale to support and honor military families.  

Easter Seals urges you to not only watch the video, but to share it with your friends and loved ones.  You can also help give returning veterans a happy homecoming by sharing your own welcome home message on Twitter or Facebook, or by capturing the moment of your hero returning home.  Even if you do not personally know someone in the military, the organization encourages you to watch the video and share your thoughts.

"The support from the entertainment industry around our military and veterans has been incredible, said James E. Williams, Jr., Easter Seals president and Chief Executive Officer. "Easter Seals is delighted to be a part of it all."

About Easter SealsFor nearly 100 years, Easter Seals has provided life-changing solutions to the people of our country. From children and adults living with disabilities, to military families looking to serve their communities, Easter Seals is committed to creating a world of inclusion, dignity, empowerment and independence. We personalize solutions for individuals with autism, and intellectual and physical disabilities through innovative therapy, training, education and support services. 

Recognizing the new and unmet needs of so many returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, we are also addressing serious gaps in service by mobilizing our national network of community-based services through a partnership with Dixon Center (www.theDixonCenter.org). At Easter Seals, we are equipped to serve thousands of individuals and military families across our 70+ affiliates, 550 nationwide service sites, 27,000 professional staff and 40,000 local volunteers. Find out more at www.easterseals.com.

SOURCE Easter Seals

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