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PLANET FITNESS FRANCHISEES DONATE $100,000 TO MAKE-A-WISH AND LAUNCH "HOLIDAY CHALLENGE FOR WISHES"

Part of national donation will help grant local wishes in Illinois

 

 Join Planet Fitness’ “Holiday Challenge for Wishes” and text DONATE to 80088 to give $10 to Make-A-Wish now through Dec. 31; Reply with YES to confirm your donation

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CHICAGO, IL (December 11, 2013) – Planet Fitness, the innovative health club franchise known for its Judgement Free Zone® and affordable prices, is donating $100,000 to Make-A-Wish America this holiday season to help make more children’s wishes come true. Part of the national donation will help grant local wishes in Illinois and throughout the country.

 

The donation was made on behalf of Planet Fitness Franchisees nationwide, and Planet Fitness Franchisees in Chicago are celebrating by honoring wish child Joseph today, December 11, at 11:00 a.m., at a check presentation at the Planet Fitness located at 3120 N. Pulaski Road in downtown Chicago.

 

Joseph’s wish to swim with the dolphins was granted when Make-A-Wish sent his family to the Bahamas. These are the types of wishes Planet Fitness’ donation will support.

 

Illinois Planet Fitness franchisees will present a check to Make-A-Wish Illinois representatives Dana Whitty and Heather Simpson, Joseph and his family in honor of the donation. “We’re delighted to make this donation on behalf of all Planet Fitness Franchisees nationwide as we continue to expand the positive impact that we have on the greater Chicagoland communities,” said Bryan Rishforth, Planet Fitness Developer in Chicago in support of the campaign.

 

“This donation from Planet Fitness will help the Make-A-Wish Foundation serve local families and help make more children’s dreams come true,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “Planet Fitness has quickly established a strong presence in Chicago's neighborhoods and demonstrated leadership and strong corporate citizenship in our communities.”

 

Joseph, 5, from west suburban Wayne was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a cancer that develops in nerve tissue, in addition to other medical conditions. He wished to encounter a dolphin up close. Joseph’s wish was granted last year when Make-A-Wish sent him and his family to the Atlantis resort, where he spent time at Dolphin Cay, where he not only got the chance to swim with dolphins, but his family enjoyed a more normal week of enjoying each other without doctor or hospital visits.

 

Earlier this week on December 9, Planet Fitness announced a “Holiday Challenge for Wishes” and is encouraging its members and supporters to make an additional donation to Make-A-Wish. Now through December 31, anyone can text DONATE to 80088 to give $10 to Make-A-Wish*. For supporters who prefer to make a donation online, visit: www.wish.org/planetfitness.

 

Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. A wish is granted, on average, every 38 minutes somewhere in the United States and its territories. Each wish serves as a new beginning for the wish kid and family, to reclaim and resume life on their own terms. Life gets better for everyone involved when a wish comes true. One hundred percent of funds raised will benefit Make-A-Wish.

 

“At Planet Fitness, we are grateful to be in the business of empowering people to better their lives,” said Planet Fitness CEO, Chris Rondeau. “We are honored to team up with Make-A-Wish this holiday season as we whole heartedly support their critical mission of empowering children and granting wishes that can help wish kids build their confidence, fight their illnesses, and change their lives. The commitment and inspiration that Make-A-Wish provides is invaluable, and we look forward to helping them make more wishes come true as a result of this campaign.”

 

“Wishes are powerful, life-changing experiences that help wish kids and their families focus on the future and on getting better,” said David Williams, president and chief executive officer of Make-A-Wish America. “We are thankful for the generous support of Planet Fitness Franchisees who share our vision of someday granting the wish of every eligible child.”

 

Planet Fitness prides itself on providing a non-intimidating, judgement free environment at extremely affordable prices ($10 a month, or $19.99 a month for the PF Black Card®). All memberships include access to high quality cardio and strength equipment, unlimited small group fitness instruction by a certified trainer through the PE @ PF® program, access to spacious locker rooms complete with showers and day lockers, and much more.

 

Currently, there are approximately 30 clubs throughout Illinois, and more than 700 clubs nationwide with more than 4.5 million members. Planet Fitness is also the proud, exclusive gym sponsor of NBC’s The Biggest Loser®. For more information or to join online, please visit www.planetfitness.com or follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/Planet Fitness) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/PlanetFitness).

 

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* $10.00 donation to Make-A-Wish. Charges will appear on your wireless bill, or be deducted from your prepaid balance. All purchases must be authorized by account holder. Must be 18 years of age or have parental permission to participate. Message and Data Rates May Apply. Text STOP to 80088 to STOP. Text HELP to 80088 for HELP. Full Terms: www.mGive.org/T. Privacy Policy

 

About Planet Fitness


Founded in 1992 in Dover, N.H., Planet Fitness is now the fastest-growing full size health club franchise in the United States, and has revolutionized the industry with a combination of extremely low prices and a unique, friendly, and hassle-free environment called the Judgement Free Zone®.

 

Planet Fitness has over 700 locations nationwide and has grown to more than 4.5 million members. The company prides itself on giving people an unbeatable value, top-notch facilities, and an atmosphere that focuses on the needs of occasional or first-time gym users rather than hard-core fitness fanatics. All Planet Fitness clubs feature a wide selection of brand-name cardio and strength equipment, and provide unlimited fitness instruction with all memberships.

 

Planet Fitness is a national brand partner of NBC’s The Biggest Loser®. For more information visit, www.PlanetFitness.com.

 

About Make-A-Wish

 

Make-A-Wish® Illinois grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich their lives with hope, strength and joy. Since being founded locally in 1985, the chapter has granted more than 11,000 wishes and continues its mission to share the power of a wish® with children across the state through help from dedicated volunteers and generous community members. For information, visit illinois.wish.org.

 

Contact

McCall Gosselin

Planet Fitness

Director of Public Relations

603-750-0001 x199

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