9 finalists selected in the first Win 4 Kids Contest and they need YOUR votes

GoodLife Kids Foundation is giving a total of $100,000 to programs across Canada

LONDON, ON, Feb. 3, 2014 /CNW/ - GoodLife Kids Foundation announced today the 9 finalist in their National Win 4 Kids contest. As part of the contest GoodLife Kids Foundation is giving away a total of $100,000 to programs across Canada that are helping kids have a healthier future.

After a National submission process, GoodLife Kids Foundation selected three finalists from the following regions: Western, Central and Atlantic Canada. All nine finalists will receive grants but Canadians' votes will determine the amount of the grants they receive.  Based on the number of votes received in their region, organizations will receive a first place ($12,000), second place ($8,000) or third place ($5,000) grant. The organization that gets the most votes nationally, will receive an additional national winner prize of $25,000, along with the first place regional prize of $12,000, for a total of $37,000.

The majority of the grant funds were generated through fundraising efforts by GoodLife Fitness staff, members, partners, friends and family at the national Spin4Kids event—Canada's largest one-day spin-a-thon in support of GoodLife Kids Foundation. The finalists will receive their funding from Win 4 Kids at this year's Spin4Kids event taking place across the country on Saturday, March 1^st.

And the Finalists Are…
(West to East, alphabetical order)

Western Canada:

Girls On The Run- Self-Esteem Character Development Program- Vancouver, Kelowna, Victoria, Abbotsford BC

• Girls between the ages of eight and 13 face all kinds of challenges, including gossip, bullying, body image issues and obesity. Girls on the Run arms girls with the tools and life-skills they need to overcome these challenges. The program combines training for a 5k run/walk with an interactive curriculum to develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles.

Hugh Cairns V.C. School – Providing Opportunities in Physical Education- Fun Fit Fridays Saskatoon SK

• Expanding and enriching the physical education program for students in kindergarten to grade 6 is the goal of Hugh Cairns V.C. School in Saskatoon. Teacher Daryl Lesyshyn introduced Fun Fit Fridays to give students a chance to try fitness activities like yoga or spin classes, and hear about wellness subjects most had never heard of before.

NStep (Nutrition Students Teachers Exercising with Parents)- Calgary and Edmonton AB

• 'NSTEP is on a mission to prevent childhood obesity by building healthier, more knowledgeable school communities. The program is unique because it builds sustainability and capacity through professional development for educators, classroom follow-up visits, and student-led parent education sessions. 

Central Canada

ErinoakKids Centre for Treatment and Development- iCan Bike Program- Mississauga ON

• One of ErinoakKids' most successful recreational programs is iCan Bike, which teaches children and youth with special needs how to ride a two-wheeled bike. Just by being part of the program, participants build their confidence and open a door to lifelong physical activity

Kennedy House Youth Services- After School Program- Scarborough ON

• Kennedy House Youth Services offers an after school program focused on vulnerable kids aged four to 13 who live in high-risk areas of Scarborough. For many kids in high-risk urban areas, a community after school program is the only opportunity they have to spend time with friends, be physically active and get support with their homework.

Victor Lauriston School- Skating Program- Chatham ON

• Victor Lauriston Public School runs a winter skating program for students in grades 3 to 8, providing them with the necessary equipment like skates and helmets to children who could not otherwise afford it.

Atlantic Canada

Antigonish Baseball Association & Town of Antigonish- Antigonish Challenger Baseball- Antigonish NS

• Children with physical and cognitive special needs in Antigonish will be hitting home runs this summer as part of a new baseball recreation program. A partnership between Antigonish Baseball Association and the Town of Antigonish, the Antigonish Challenger Baseball program helps children aged four to 18 develop physical and social skills, build self-esteem, make new friends, meet other kids and families in the community and become part of a team.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Saint John- Go Girls!- Saint John NB

• When it comes to healthy lifestyles and positive thinking, young girls benefit from mentoring and guidance from women they admire and respect. That's the philosophy behind the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Saint John Go Girls! program.

Forest Glen School- Climbing to Success Program- Moncton NB

• Teachers at Forest Glen School in Moncton have found an active and fun way to help children learn. Research shows that physical activities like climbing, traversing and hanging on a climbing wall can support memory function and help children from lower income families with learning and brain development.

How to vote:

Online voting takes place by visiting www.win4kids.com and/or logging on to the Win 4 Kids Facebook contest page. Voters must make their selection by logging into their Facebook account and selecting an organization. Voters require a Facebook account to participate and are only allowed to vote once during the contest.

Voting Began February 1 and goes until 11:59 p.m. on February 28

The results:

On Saturday, March 1, 2014, all nine finalists will be asked to attend a Spin4Kids event in their community to learn how much they'll get through Win 4 Kids!

Help spread the word and support your local organization:

GoodLife Kids Foundation will be profiling all nine organizations on their Facebook pages: www.facebook.com/goodlifekids

In addition to voting, you can support your organization by spreading the word in your community: share the Win 4 Kids Facebook page, connect with @goodlifefkids on twitter and join the conversation using the hash tag #Win4Kids.

Interview/photo-ops are available upon request

About GoodLife Kids Foundation
GoodLife Kids Foundation is a private foundation with a vision for every Canadian kid to have the opportunity to live a fit and healthy good life. To date GoodLife Kids Foundation Grant Program has given $1.2 MILLION to more than 100 organizations, impacting over 200,000 Canadian children. To learn more about the GoodLife Kids Foundation Grant Program or to apply for a Grant go to: www.goodlifekids.com. Join the conversation on getting Canadian kids active: facebook.com/goodlifekids and @goodlifekids

100% of the money you donate to GoodLife Kids Foundation goes to helping Kids across Canada get active and healthy!  GoodLife Fitness Clubs covers all of our administrative and operational expenses so that every dollar raised will make the biggest impact on the lives of Canadian kids.

SOURCE: GoodLife Fitness

Media Contacts: Adam Roberts, Public Relations Specialist, GoodLife Fitness, 519-661-0190 ext. 424, [email protected]