Building what matters: Easter Seals House capital campaign reaches the 30% mark with a generous gift of $150,000 from the St. John’s Port Authority.

(St. John’s, NL – January 13, 2007) – Mr. Peter Henrico, President and Chief Executive Officer of Oceanex Inc. and Chairman, Easter Seals House capital campaign, today announced that the campaign has reached 30% of its $2 million goal with its first “capstone” donation of $150,000 over three years from the St. John’s Port Authority.

“We have had a strong business relationship with the St. John’s Port Authority for many years and we are very pleased to have their support on this project,” says Mr. Henrico. “This gift is a tremendous encouragement to the campaign – we are well on our way to reaching our goal and building this much needed facility for children with special needs,” he said. “The Port has not only given a leadership gift, but they have also committed their time as Chairman Sam Walters has agreed to be a volunteer with the campaign and will solicit other local businesses and individuals.”

“The St. John’s Port Authority is delighted to participate in a very meaningful way with this tremendous – and much needed – project,” said Sean Hanrahan, President and CEO of the Port Authority. “As long-standing partners, the Port and Oceanex have collaborated on many projects, but none with as much enduring value as this project will have for these wonderful children. We commend Oceanex for taking a leadership role.”

“Easter Seals kids from across the Province will benefit from this significant donation.” says Marvin Chaulk, member of the Easter Seals Newfoundland and Labrador board of directors and member of the Easter Seals House campaign committee. “This gift from the St. John’s Port Authority is an important contribution to the campaign and we are delighted to have their support.”

Easter Seals House, to be built on Mount Scio Road in C.A. Pippy Park, will be home to all of the Easter Seals programs and services including recreational therapy, life skills and vocational training, and equipment exchange services. Easter Seals House will include a welcome area, gymnasium, multi-purpose room, kitchen, computer room, youth den, and a sensory room, along with administrative and support space.

The benefits to children from therapeutic recreation are numerous, including increased opportunity for exercise, to meet and overcome challenges in a safe and supportive environment, to be outdoors, to learn life skills and to socialize. Having a home base will also support the parents of children with physical disabilities by providing opportunities to meet and talk with other parents while their children are busy in programs.

The $2 million capital campaign was launched this past spring under the leadership of Oceanex Inc. and will be built by late 2008 on land that the C.A. Pippy Park Commission has set aside.

For more information, please contact:

Sean Hanrahan, LL.B.,
President & C.E.O.
St. John’s Port Authority
708-738-4780

Deborah Wearn
Campaign Manager
Easter Seals House
709-726-8563 (office)
709-351-3761 (cell)

Background

Campaign Committee:
The campaign committee members include: Oceanex board trustee The Hon. John C. Crosbie, Counsel, Patterson Palmer; board members Fraser H. Edison, Executive Vice-President, Rutter Inc.; Iris G. Petten, Vice-President, Ocean Choice International Ltd.; and, R. Wayne Myles, Managing Partner, Benson Myles; staff members Peter Henrico, President and Chief Executive Officer, Oceanex Inc..; Steve Snow, Vice-President Marketing & Sales, Oceanex Inc.; and Glenn Etchegary, Vice-President Operations, Atlantic Region. Marvin Chaulk, Easter Seals board member and Manager, Enterprise Accounts, Aliant is representing Easter Seals on the campaign committee.

About the Partners:

The St. John’s Port Authority is a financially self-sufficient Federal Agency deriving all revenues solely from operations, and reinvesting all earnings into Port infrastructure and operations. As a result of the Authority’s effective stewardship of the Port’s infrastructure, and the invaluable endeavours of the Port community, the Port of St. John’s has an estimated economic impact on the province of $278-million per annum, with an associated 3,157 direct and indirect jobs. For more information, visit www.sjpa.com

Oceanex, a wholly owned subsidiary of Oceanex Income Fund, provides intermodal transportation services between Newfoundland and Labrador and any origin or destination in North America. For more information, visit www.oceanex.com

Easter Seals is a charitable organization that is dedicated to “maximizing the abilities of children with physical disabilities” since 1937. Easter Seals programs help more than 300 children in the province through recreational therapy; direct assistance; skills development; and, education and advocacy. For more information, visit www.eastersealshousenl.ca