Helping families affected by disabilities is serious business.
It’s also fun, at least for John Cocciolone.
President and CEO of Easter Seals-Michigan, the Springfield Township resident brings a sense of humor and a sense of joy to his work. Others have noticed it, as evidenced by his receipt of the Myrtle M. and Tom B. Medders Award from the national Easter Seals organization.
The award is given in recognition of excellence and outstanding achievement in management, but Cocciolone said he has good friends who have been Easter Seals CEOs longer than he who are equally deserving.
‘Easter Seals is a great organization, and there are a lot of good quality CEOs out there,? he said. ‘It was really a surprise. It’s quite an honor.?
The award included a plaque and a $1,000 cash gift. He donated the latter back to Easter Seals.
‘No one person wins an award like that,? he said. ‘You have to have dedicated staff. It’s a lot of people working together.?
It was under Cocciolone’s leadership, however, that Easter Seals-Michigan grew from a budget of $3 million in 2000 to a current $29 million. The Michigan affiliate (which has consolidated several individual chapters) is the fastest growing in the nation.
Part of that growth has come in the form of government contracts for services to those with physical and mental disabilities and their families. More than 36,000 families received at least one Easter Seals service this past year, with about half participating in ‘substantial? services in areas such as job development, housing and respite care.
While many are familiar with the organization’s signature fund-raising stamps, many are not aware of the extent of Easter Seal services (which vary among the nation’s 90 affiliates).
In Michigan, for example, Cocciolone is proud of Easter Seals? rehab services for farmers affected by injuries caused by chemicals and heavy machinery. Their AgrAbility program is important in helping deal with Michigan’s number one occupational hazard ? farming.
‘It’s hard to quantify what each affiliate does, but they all have that common thread,? he said.
An Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War, Cocciolone entered Michigan State University (where he met his wife, Jane), and became involved in working with the deaf. After student teaching at the Michigan School for the Deaf, he worked with the Oakland-Livingston Human Services Agency before being recruited by Easter Seals to do grant writing.
In 1993, he became CEO of the new Michigan affiliate, which was a merger of then separate Wayne, Oakland and Macomb chapters.
He’s never looked back.
‘I love it. I can’t imagine working anyplace else,? Cocciolone said. ‘I work with great people. It’s fun being part of a solution for a family.?
His energy and humor is natural, but also has a purpose in his management style.
‘The staff has to enjoy what they do, or they’re not going to be productive or efficient. So we have a lot of fun.?
That ‘fun? included a roast in his honor when his 20th anniversary with Easter Seals coincided with his birthday. He ‘hates to admit it,? but he is a practical joker, so there was ?20 years of payback? at the special event.
Cocciolone is also encouraged by the spirit of the families helped through Easter Seals.
‘Parents have that inner strength to deal with it,? he said, and their example has helped his family deal with situations including a brother who became a paraplegic and a police officer sister shot in the head while on duty.
With the joy comes challenges, and Cocciolone cites a current struggle to get a community’s blessing for an Easter Seals-sponsored clubhouse for the disabled in Royal Oak.
‘People in the neighborhood around there are saying, ‘We love Easter Seals, we love the program, they need that program, but we don’t want it in our back yard.??
The Clarkston area benefits from a Waterford Easter Seals service center, with about 17 local children receiving speech and occupational therapy, he said. More than 20 from Independence and Springfield townships make use of a Pontiac office’s severe emotional service program.
Cocciolone is especially proud that a growing part of the Easter Seals-Michigan budget comes from state and county contacts for efficient services.
‘Because we’ve saved the county and state governments so much money, they’re constantly upping the contracts and giving us more responsibility,? he said.
Many programs still come from charity funding, however, and those interested in giving time or money are encouraged to call (800) 75-SEALS for more information.
The Cocciolones have two children: Ryan, 20, is a student at Michigan State, while Tony, 17, is preparing for graduation from Clarkston High School. They’ve lived in the Clarkston area since 1987, and are active in missions trips with St. Daniel Catholic Church.
They believe their children have learned well from their example and that of the community.
‘That’s the one thing we miss as Americans is teaching our kids the responsibility to give back to the community, and not just money,? he said.