Participate in the Because I am a Girl lemon challenge

#LemonChallenge4Change raises funds and awareness for girls' rights

TORONTO, June 24, 2015 /CNW/ - Every day millions of girls around the world are discriminated against, or denied access to an education or basic human rights - simply because they're girls. If that fact leaves you feeling sour, join Plan Canada's Because I am a Girl initiative and do something about it.

The lemon challenge is an easy way for Canadians of all ages to join in and show support for girls' rights and gender equality. Supporting Plan Canada's Pink LemonAid program, which is part of the Because I am a Girl initiative, the challenge calls on Canadians to post a picture or video of themselves making a "lemon face" with the hashtag #LemonChallenge4Change, make a donation to the Because I am a Girl initiative, and nominate a friend or colleague to do the same.

"During the past five years, hundreds of people have participated in the Pink LemonAid program. The level of excitement and participation that the program has achieved speaks volumes about the importance of this cause and the commitment here in Canada to end gender discrimination for girls globally," said Sarah Muir, Manager Brand & Community Engagement Plan Canada. "Last year more than 22,400 cups of lemonade were sold by boys and girls from across Canada with an average of $175 raised per stand. We hope Canadians join in this summer and participate by taking the lemon challenge and hosting Pink LemonAid stands."

Funds raised from the Pink LemonAid campaign will go to Because I am a Girl projects that provide clean water, food, health care, girls' scholarships and education, and a brighter economic future to girls and their families so they can break the cycle of poverty. Because I am a Girl has also supported a number of projects for girls in developing countries, driving real change. For example:

• Improving access to financial independence for young women in Haiti: In Haiti, Plan helps young people in rural areas, especially adolescent girls through financial literacy training as well as access to financial services (including setting up savings accounts). This helps young girls to become more financially independent and increases their economic opportunities.
• Ending child marriage in Bangladesh: In Bangladesh, Plan is working with families, communities and local authorities to protect girls, and stop child marriage. By providing economic support (such as girls' scholarships), more girls are getting access to an education, which contributes to child protection efforts against child marriage.

Participating in the Pink LemonAid lemon challenge is fun and easy:

1. Take a photo/video of yourself biting into a lemon or making a "lemon face"
2. Visit becauseiamagirl.ca/lemonchallenge and donate to Plan's Because I am a Girl initiative in support of girls' rights.
3. Post your photo/video on Twitter, Instagram or Vine with the hashtag #LemonChallenge4Change. Don't forget to tag and challenge your friends, family and colleagues too!
4. If you're looking for a way to get more involved, follow up your lemon challenge by hosting a Pink LemonAid stand to fundraise and create awareness for gender equality.

Host a Pink LemonAid stand

If you're looking for other ways to participate/support Pink LemonAid this summer, you can still help out and host a lemonade stand. This summer, Because I am a Girl supporters across Canada will be holding Pink LemonAid stands to fundraise at a variety of different events including yard sales, school fundraisers, car washes, baseball games and other summer activities. Hosting a stand is great way to introduce kids to philanthropy and supporting important global causes at a young age. To support Canadians in their fundraising efforts, kits full of helpful tips on how to host a stand and promotional materials such as donation jar wraps, posters and price cards can be downloaded for free online at becauseiamagirl.ca - just add cups and lemonade!

To learn more about Plan Canada's Because I am a Girl initiative or to download a free Pink LemonAid kit, visit becauseiamagirl.ca

Social:

Twitter: @biaagcanada
Instagram: @biaagcan

About Plan

Founded in 1937, Plan is one of the world's oldest and largest international development agencies, working in partnership with millions of people around the world to end global poverty. Not for profit, independent and inclusive of all faiths and cultures, Plan has only one agenda: to improve the lives of children. Because I am a Girl is Plan's global initiative to end gender inequality, promote girls' rights and lift millions of girls - and everyone around them - out of poverty. Visit plancanada.ca and becauseiamagirl.ca for more information.

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SOURCE Plan Canada

Image with caption: "Getting sour for a good cause! Pictured here Plan Canada staff show us their best lemon-biting faces as part of Plan Canada's #LemonChallenge4Change. The campaign aims to encourage Canadian support for girls' rights through Plan Canada's Because I am a Girl initiative. (CNW Group/Plan Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150624_C9871_PHOTO_EN_43792.jpg

Media contacts

Abigail Brown, Senior Media and Public Relations Manager, Plan Canada
T: 416-920-1654 ext. 277 | [email protected]

Jennifer Ouellette, Hill + Knowlton Strategies
T: 416-413-4774 | C: 647-520-8593 | [email protected]