Easter Seals Teams Up With Friendly's And Miss Rhode Island

Newly Crowned Miss Rhode Island Kate McCaughey scooped up Fiona Doyle’s vanilla ice cream during Easter Seals closing event “Cones for Kids” on Saturday.

McCaughey is a former Friendly’s, as well as an Easter Seals employee and was invited by the company  to be the “Celebrity Scooper” for the afternoon. McCaughey said she was excited to be invited, and added that everything is so fresh and new, always a new adventure.

The event was held to raise awareness for the vital programs provided by Easter Seals RI. The Company began their 30^th annual “Cones for Kids” campaign on January 10 and ran through their February 13 closing event, held at Friendly’s in Wakefield, with inspirational Child Ambassador Fiona Doyle.

Doyle was born with an anomaly where she is missing her fingers on her right hand. Carol Cagle, the Doyle’s Easter Seals RI Developmental Therapist, visits the family every week to help Fiona advance in her quality of life.

“We love Carol, she does what ever it is that needs to be done, if she needs help with her speech she does it, it’s not just the physical aspects, it’s the whole package," said Doyle's mother  Anne Marie.

“It hit me one day, I saw Fiona trying to hold her bottle and she couldn’t, it was the moment I realized I would do anything to make sure she could do what ever she put her mind to,” said Doyle's father Paul.   

Since 1981 “Cones for Kids” has been a winter tradition between Friendly’s and Easter Seals. Employees across the restaurant chain help change thousands of children’s lives with disabilities by raising $26 million to date. The funds raised will support Easter Seals Camp Friendly’s programs essential to building a sense of independence and accomplishment.  The camp provides an opportunity for children with disabilities to be included in regular camp activities.