EASTER SEALS IOWA NAMES WOOLSON "2003 VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR”

November 4 , 2003 – Easter Seals Iowa has honored Eric Woolson, the President/CEO of The Concept Works, Inc., by naming him as the nonprofit organization's Volunteer of the Year.

In announcing the honor, Director of Development Nancy Bobo noted that Woolson's Easter Seals involvement began in late 2001 as the organization learned that its former director had embezzled a large sum of money.

“With Eric's assistance and guidance with the media and the public, Easter Seals was able to maintain its respect and credibility with our clients, donors and the community at large. Working step-in-step with our national office, Eric provided expert advice in crisis management, dealing with a very difficult public relations crisis,” Bobo said. “In big part because of his efforts, Easter Seals came through the crisis with its reputation as a forthright, credible and ethics-driven organization intact.”

She continued, “Since that time, Eric has assisted Easter Seals with legislative advocacy at the state level, opened media doors, gotten stories placed, secured donations and been an all-around saint here at Easter Seals. Eric is deeply respected by both parties in the Iowa Legislature, and his longstanding relationships with decision makers and power brokers at both the state and national levels drive his effectiveness in promoting Easter Seals' issues.”

The mission of Easter Seals Iowa is to “create solutions that change the lives of individuals with disabilities and other special needs and their families." All of its programs and services have evolved out of this mission. The organization operates from three locations. Camp Sunnyside, north of Des Moines, houses camping, respite and recreation programs and farm family rehabilitation (FaRM) and durable medical equipment loan services. The Easter Seals Center in Des Moines is the home base for all vocational, employment and case management services. Easter Seals Chalet Gifts in Des Moines is a retail outlet for home crafted items made by people with disabilities.

Woolson founded The Concept Works in 2002. The West Des Moines firm specializes in public, media and governments relations and crisis management for Iowa corporations, nonprofit organizations and political campaigns.

For more information about Easter Seals Iowa, log onto http://ia.easter-seals.org/site.