AIR MILES brings together an all-star cast, challenging Canadians to bust a move in support of Kids Help Phone

Who's ready to dance?
AIR MILES collaborates with Jessi Cruickshank, Sarah and Gianni from Walk Off The Earth and other well-known performers to support Kids Help Phone through a special Facebook Live event

TORONTO, May 28, 2020 /CNW/ - Today, the AIR MILES^® Reward Program announced a new initiative in collaboration with Kids Help Phone that will help bring awareness to the vital role of supporting mental health in Canadian youth. On Sunday, May 31, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. ET, AIR MILES and Jessi Cruickshank, star of New Mom, Who Dis? will be hosting a virtual event on Facebook Live that celebrates the Kids Help Phone's Never Dance Alone-a-thon, powered by BMO, with the help of some famous faces.

The highly anticipated event, in partnership with Kids Help Phone – who have been collaborating with AIR MILES since 1997 – includes live musical performances by an impressive roster of well-known musicians and dancers including Sarah and Gianni from Walk Off The Earth, Blanco Brown and Danny Fernandes, among others. Canadians from coast to coast can engage with these favourite performers just by tuning into the AIR MILES Facebook page.

"We can't think of a better way to celebrate our long-standing relationship with Kids Help Phone than by rewarding Canadians with a Sunday they won't soon forget," said Blair Cameron, President AIR MILES Reward Program. "Together with Kids Help Phone and BMO, we can't wait to see Canadians from coast to coast put on their dancing shoes, come together and strut their stuff in support of all the Canadian youth that lean into the work of such an incredible organization."

The virtual event takes place on the AIR MILES Facebook page as part of its Happy Every Day community, which was built to engage, excite and entertain all Canadians as a reward for staying at home and features daily digital performances and celebrity appearances. To date, the community has seen a range of Canadian talent including Juno and CCMA Award-winning country artist Brett Kissel, country music duo The Reklaws, TV personality and cookbook author Bob Blumer, and Oscar-winning singer-songwriter/composer and author, Buffy Sainte-Marie, just to name a few.

Confirmed Appearances: Kids Help Phone's Never Dance Alone-a-thon powered by BMO

• Jessi Cruickshank – television personality and star of New Mom, Who Dis?
• Sarah and Gianni from Walk Off The Earth – two of the members of the Juno Award-winning, multi-platinum musical phenomenon
• Blanco Brown – viral sensation and singer/songwriter of international hits including "The Git Up," "Do Si Do" and "I Need Love"
• Danny Fernandes – R&B/pop singer, songwriter and dancer
• Milk & Bone – Juno Award-winning electro-pop duo from Montreal

"It's at times like these that we are so grateful for the incredible support from our partners, like AIR MILES, who have been a vital support to Kids Help Phone for almost 30 years," said Katherine Hay, President and CEO, Kids Help Phone. "This fun-filled event is exactly what our country needs – we are all in this together and I am thankful that we can continue to support the thousands of people who reach out to our service for support every day with thanks to our AIR MILES family!"

With help from Collectors across Canada, AIR MILES recently announced that it has surpassed its goal of $1 million in support to Kids Help Phone and Food Banks of Canada through its donation and matching program. In response to feedback from Collectors, AIR MILES created the matching program to give Collectors the opportunity to use 500 Dream Miles to pledge $50 to Kids Help Phone or Food Banks Canada, with AIR MILES matching the first $500,000 in donations. This Sunday's Kids Help Phone's Never Dance Alone-a-thon powered by BMO provides a platform for AIR MILES to celebrate and reward its Collectors for coming together to help use Miles for change.

Canadians looking to get in on the action can do so by uploading their best dance moves online with #NeverDanceAlone and tagging @airmiles_canada.

For more information and to make a donation using your Dream Miles, please visit www.airmiles.ca.

About the AIR MILES Reward Program
The AIR MILES Reward Program is Canada's most recognized loyalty program, with nearly 11 million active Collector Accounts, representing approximately two-thirds of all Canadian households. AIR MILES Collectors get Miles at more than 300 leading Canadian, global and online brands, and at thousands of retail and service locations across the country. It is the only loyalty program of its kind to give Collectors the flexibility and choice to use Miles on aspirational Rewards such as merchandise, travel, events or attractions; or, instantly, in-store or online through AIR MILES Cash at participating Partner locations.

About Kids Help Phone
Kids Help Phone is Canada's only 24/7 e-mental health service offering free, confidential support in English and French to young people. As the country's virtual care expert, we give millions of youth a safe, trusted space to talk over phone and online chat or through text message with Crisis Text Line powered by Kids Help Phone in any moment of crisis or need. Through our digital transformation, we envision a future where every person in Canada is able to get the support they need, when they need it most, and we have most recently realized that through Crisis Text Line Canada. This innovation is fueled by courageous donors, partners, volunteers and more. Learn more at KidsHelpPhone.ca or @KidsHelpPhone.

SOURCE AIR MILES Reward Program

and media inquiries: Abby Fong, North Strategic, 647-404-5668, [email protected]

Related Links

www.airmiles.ca