WestJet gives Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada airport tours

    
    Over 170 children in 13 cities will participate in 2009 Passport to
    Success program
    

CALGARY , Sept. 23 /CNW/ - Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada and WestJet today announced that over 170 children from 13 cities will participate in their national partnership program, Passport to Success, between September 21 and October 17, 2009 .

Passport to Success offers young boys and girls from across Canada an inside look at how an airport works. The program helps them understand how the subjects they learn in school can lead to exciting career opportunities. WestJetters in Victoria, Vancouver , Edmonton , Calgary , Saskatoon, Winnipeg , Thunder Bay, Hamilton, Montréal, Halifax , Saint John (NB), Halifax and St. John's (NL) will provide behind-the-scenes tours of their airports to local Boys and Girls Club children. WestJet pilots will also be travelling to these cities this fall to speak to the local Boys and Girls Clubs about the aviation industry.

"WestJet is thrilled to partner with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada and to offer the Passport to Success program for the third year in a row," says Richard Bartrem, WestJet Vice-President of Culture and Communications. "Our airport WestJetters and our pilots show their true dedication to the communities we serve through WestJet Cares for Kids and the Passport to Success program."

"Passport to Success presents our children with a remarkable educational opportunity and a chance to be inspired by positive role models," said Pam Jolliffe , President and CEO, Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada . "We appreciate WestJet's ongoing support of Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada and our goal of providing every child with a supportive and enriching environment where they can find the path to a successful future."

The Passport to Success partnership aims to provide Boys and Girls Clubs across Canada with WestJet volunteers, fund raising support through the gift of flight, and the opportunity to share the WestJet culture and the aviation industry with young Canadians.

About WestJet

WestJet is Canada's preferred airline, offering scheduled service throughout its 66-city North American and Caribbean network. Named one of Canada's most admired corporate cultures in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, WestJet pioneered low-cost flying in Canada . WestJet offers increased legroom, leather seats and live seatback television provided by Bell TV on its modern fleet of 81 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. With future confirmed deliveries for an additional 54 aircraft through 2016, WestJet strives to be one of the five most successful international airlines in the world.

About Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada

Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada is a leading, national provider of programs to children and youth that support the healthy physical, educational and social development of close to 200,000 young people and their families each year. In 700 community locations across Canada , clubs offer after-school programs in physical recreation, technology, the arts, literacy, personal growth and more. Many clubs also provide meals, emergency shelter, family support programs and other support to children, youth and families at risk. Boys and Girls Clubs have been helping young Canadians to discover, develop and achieve their potential for over 100 years. To learn more, visit www.bgccan.com.

For further information: Media Contact: WestJet - Robert Palmer, Media Relations, telephone: 1-888-WJ 4 NEWS (1-888-954-6397), email: [email protected]; Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada - Matthew Ross, Media Relations, telephone: [phone] ext 270, email: [email protected]