There is an easy and crafty way for the community to help all children be back-to-school ready and set up for success in their education. For the fifth year in a row, A.C. Moore is joining Easter Seals to provide the proper tools and support for all children in their early years through its Crafting a Better World for All Kids Campaign.

Customers who visit any A.C. Moore store from August 15th- September 15thcan donate $1 to Easter Seals’ Make the First Five Count® initiative at checkout. To show back-to-school spirit, parents can tweet a photo of their child’s first-day-of-school photo to @easter_seals and @OfficialACMoore using the #Back2School14 hashtag. Funds raised during the A.C. Moore Crafting a Better World for All Kids Campaign support Easter Seals Make the First Five Count® initiative, which offers free online developmental screenings and provides thousands of children access to tools they need to make sure they are reaching their potential. Since launching the campaign in 2010, A.C. Moore customers and store team members have raised nearly $500,000 for Easter Seals.

Why A.C. Moore and Easter Seals

“We know that the first five years of life are critical in a child’s development and long-term success. While each child is unique and develops at his or her own pace, screenings can be an important tool because they meet children where they are and identify the specific skills they need to succeed. Easter Seals is proud to make available a free, online comprehensive health screening tool to help all children reach their full potential,” said Katy Neas, Senior Vice President of Government Relations, Easter Seals.

It is important for parents to be in tune with their child’s development during their early years because the first five years of life lay the foundation for a child’s long term success. Receiving the right support at the earliest stage in life can help a child gain the skills he or she needs to be successful.

“Easter Seals is grateful to A.C. Moore for its continued support through the Crafting A Better World for All Kids Campaign. Not only are crafts an enjoyable activity for children, simple crafting can also help children learn important skills that affect their overall development. Crafting is just one of the ways parents can observe their children’s developmental progress to make sure they are school ready,” adds Neas.

About A.C. Moore

With 140 stores along the East Coast, A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, Inc. brings families together for fun through creativity. A.C. Moore offers a wide range of programs to engage adults and children in crafting, including workshops, demonstrations and “Make & Takes.” In addition to traditional craft products, A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts is also well-known for its selection of scrapbooking, jewelry, floral, yarn, art supplies, children’s crafts kits and educational toys, along with ready-made frames and custom framing. To locate your local A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, visit us at http://www.acmoore.com/, www.facebook.com/acmoore and twitter.com/officialacmoore.

About Easter Seals

Easter Seals is the leading non-profit provider of services for individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, physical disabilities and other special needs. For nearly 100 years, we have been offering help and hope to children and adults living with disabilities, and to the families who love them. Through therapy, training, education and support services, Easter Seals creates life-changing solutions so that people with disabilities can live, learn, work and play. Support children and adults with disabilities at www.easterseals.com or www.MaketheFirstFiveCount.org