Announcing BCAA Play Here: new initiative to invest in kids' play area projects across BC

$100,000 value revitalization for this year's winner
Nominations now underway; British Columbians to vote online for winner

BURNABY, BC, April 5, 2016 /CNW/ - BCAA announces the launch of BCAA Play Here: a multi-year, community investment initiative to protect kids in B.C. by rejuvenating play areas to make them safer and even more enjoyable for kids and families. This year's winner will receive a revitalization worth up to $100,000.

Shawn Pettipas, BCAA's Manager, Community Impact, explains, "We're looking for play areas around the province that are in need of rejuvenation. It could be a park, a playground, a sporting facility or an after-school study area for example – if it's a place where kids can spend their time and develop valuable life skills, we want to hear about how it can be improved to make it a safer, better place for kids to play."

Giving children better places to play continues a long, proud tradition of BCAA initiatives to support and protect children throughout British Columbia. Pettipas continues, "BCAA Play Here will become one of the largest community investments in our history. It's about revitalizing play areas for kids in BC and we need the public's help to find the perfect place to start."

Nominations from the public, community groups or non-profits anywhere in the province are open from today at www.BCAAplayhere.com. The public will then vote for the winner from a shortlist determined by a judging panel, with the winning project announced in July.

More about the BCAA Play Here Initiative:
Nominations can be made and seen online at www.bcaaplayhere.com
Follow #bcaaplayhere to get involved and get program updates.

Nominate	April 5-May 1: accepting nominations from across BC
Vote	May 30-June 29: after judges have selected 5 finalists, vote for your favourite.
Winner	July 11: announce the winning project that will receive a revitalization worth up to $100,000.

BCAA Play Here Initiative enquiries:
www.bcaaplayhere.com

About BCAA's Community Programs:
BCAA serves 1 in 3 B.C. households with industry-leading products including home, auto and travel insurance, roadside assistance, Evo Car Share and full auto service at BCAA's Auto Service Centres.  We have a long, proud history of protecting kids in communities across B.C. 

Thanks to BCAA Members, we:

• Keep children safer in school zones, with student School Safety Patrollers across the province.
• Educate hundreds of people a year across B.C. on the proper use and installation of child car seats.
• Donated thousands of new child car seats over the last four years to reach families in need.
• Distribute thousands of reflective armbands around Halloween to make kids more visible to drivers.
• Provide Members with 'Slow Down, Kids Playing' signs to encourage safer driving in residential areas.

About BCAA
One of the most trusted organizations in British Columbia by its Members, BCAA serves 1 in 3 B.C. households with industry-leading products including home, auto and travel insurance, roadside assistance, Evo Car Share and full auto service at BCAA's Auto Service Centres. BCAA has also been named an Aon Best Employer – Canada 2016, Gold Level. With more than 100,000 partners worldwide, BCAA's 840,000 Members can save up to $1,000 per year on insurance and items they use every day. To learn more about how a BCAA Membership is rewarding, please visit bcaa.com.

SOURCE British Columbia Automobile Association

Media enquiries: Stephanie Thatcher or Niela Melanio, BCAA, Office: 604-268-5446 / Mobile: [phone] / Mobile: [phone], [email protected] / [email protected]