Give dad the ultimate Father's Day gift this year - your undivided attention!

Make it a day to remember with a break from technological distractions

TORONTO, June 4, 2014 /CNW/ - He's always there for you but are you ready to be there for him?  When thinking of gifts for Father's Day, families tend to gravitate to the familiar – socks and ties, BBQ tools, golf clubs or if he's lucky, concert tickets or the latest electronic gadget.  Sure, dad will thank you for these gifts and he'll probably even enjoy them.  But why not shake things up this year and give him something totally unexpected - the gift of you, in-person and tech-free!

Foresters™, an international financial services provider committed to family well-being, is challenging families to take a Tech Timeout this Father's Day.  Turn off the smartphones, unplug the television, put away the video games and 'disconnect to reconnect' with dad.  Get outside, go for a walk or hike, play a board game or let dad choose the activity, as long as it's tech-free.

"Father's Day is a poignant reminder that our best family memories are created when we spend time together and share experiences with each other," says Kasia Czarski, senior vice president and chief membership and marketing officer, Foresters.  "Whether you're thinking about your own father, or your relationship with your children, it's things like learning to ride a bike, going on the annual family road trip or grilling the perfect burger that stay in our minds.  We launched the Tech Timeout challenge to help families remember what's important and I think that idea is captured perfectly in our Tech Timeout video just in time for Father's Day."  

Foresters launched Tech Timeout in 2013 after becoming concerned about society's growing dependence on technology and the impact it could have on family well-being; in some cases even fostering social isolation among people who live under the same roof.   While families can benefit from a technology break at any time of the year, once-a-year celebrations like Father's Day provide an ideal opportunity for everyone to disconnect and to make the guest of honor feel truly celebrated and loved.

The Tech Timeout challenge encourages families to take a daily scheduled one-hour break from their electronic devices and reconnect with each other in a more personal way. Families can sign the Tech Timeout pledge wall to accept the challenge at TechTimeout.com.

About Foresters
For 140 years, Foresters™, an international financial services provider, has fulfilled its purpose to enhance family well-being for its members and the communities where they live.   A fraternal benefit society, Foresters offers quality life insurance and investment products, unique member benefits and inspiring community activities. Foresters shares its financial strength with more than one million members in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom.  For more information, visit foresters.com, facebook.com/foresters and techtimeout.com.

Foresters™ is the trade name and a trademark of The Independent Order of Foresters, a fraternal benefit society, 789 Don Mills Road, Toronto, Canada M3C 1T9; its subsidiaries are licensed to use this mark. 411205 CAN/US (06/14)

Video with caption: "Video: Foresters and Tech Timeout encourage you to give dad the ultimate Father's Day gift this year.". Video available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uiw70IHzC54

Video with caption: "Video: Foresters and Tech Timeout encourage you to give dad the ultimate Father's Day gift this year.". Video available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uiw70IHzC54

SOURCE: Foresters

For media inquiries, please contact: Jenny Pandl (US), On behalf of Foresters, [phone], [email protected]; Maria Ganogiannis (Canada), Foresters, [phone] ext 4096, 1 800 461 8431 ext 4096, [email protected]