25-year Easter Seals & Friendly's Partnership, Is Friendly Indeed

Restaurant Launches Longstanding "Cones for Kids" Fundraiser to Help Easter Seals Change the Lives of People Living with Disabilities

CHICAGO (Sunday, January 02, 2005) - Celebrating "Cones for Kids" 25th year, Friendly Ice Cream Corporation today launches its annual Valentine's Day fundraiser to benefit local Easter Seals and announces a new 2006 campaign goal to raise $1 million for children and adults with disabilities.

Since 1981, "Cones for Kids" has been a winter tradition up-and-down the East Coast. Each year, employees across the restaurant chain help change the lives of thousands of children and adults with disabilities through their efforts – raising $22 million to date; $765,000 in 2005 alone.

For a dollar donation to Easter Seals, Friendly's provides restaurant guests with either a Kids' Valentine's Day card, redeemable for Five Free Friendly's Kid Cones, or a valuable Adult Coupon Booklet worth more than $35. The coupons include savings for various Friendly's meals and ice cream, as well as a free 8"x10" color portrait from JCPenney Portraits. The campaign runs through February 14, 2006.

Even on the Coldest Days, an Ice Cream Cone Can Warm the Heart
"Kids and families know that it's never too cold outside to for an ice cream cone. Servers make sure that every guest has a chance to give," says John L. Cutter, chief executive officer and president of Friendly Ice Cream Corporation. "'Cone's for Kids' is good for business and, with Easter Seals, we know our contributions go to help children and adults with disabilities in the many communities we serve."

The dollars raised through "Cones for Kids" help Easter Seals provide such comprehensive programs and services as medical rehabilitation, assistive technology, inclusive child care, adult day centers, and even camping and recreation for children and adults with disabilities.

"Friendly's employees are dedicated to making this campaign a continued success, doing everything they can to engage restaurant guests and local communities in our cause," said James E. Williams, Jr., president and chief executive officer of Easter Seals. "It's fitting that each year around Valentine's Day, ‘Cones for Kids' helps so many children and adults with disabilities. The program truly represents the heart of Friendly's, and it is the cornerstone of our two organization's 25-year-strong partnership."

About Friendly's
Friendly Ice Cream Corporation is a vertically integrated restaurant company serving signature sandwiches, entrees and ice cream desserts in a friendly, family environment in over 525 company and franchised restaurants throughout the Northeast. The company also manufactures ice cream, which is distributed through more than 4,500 supermarkets and other retail locations.With a 70-year operating history, Friendly's enjoys strong brand recognition and is currently remodeling its restaurants and introducing new products to grow its customer base.Additional information on Friendly Ice Cream Corporation can be found at www.friendlys.com.

About Easter Seals
For more than 85 years, Easter Seals has been providing services that help children and adults with disabilities gain greater independence. Our primary services—medical rehabilitation, job training and employment, child care, adult day services, and camping and recreation—benefit 1.3 million individuals with disabilities and their families each year through more than 550 centers nationwide. See great stories at www.easterseals.com.

View all Friendly's Restaurants Press Releases

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