Published on Cision Oct. 4, 2021

New video & campaign raises awareness about the life-changing impact of BGC Clubs across Canada

Toronto, ON, October 4, 2021 – Working with Toronto-based ROUND agency, BGC Canada (formerly Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada) today released a new campaign that showcases the confidence BGC Clubs instill in 200,000 kids and teens every year. Available in English and French, No. More. Barriers. is our first national campaign after recently rebranding to BGC—a renewed identity that embraces the inclusive practices we are known for across the country.

SEE THE VIDEO HERE

All kids face barriers. BGC Clubs help them understand and overcome those barriers through community-based services, life-changing programs, and positive relationships with peers and caring adults.

“The young people in the video are not actors or musicians. What you see is the confidence of actual Club members—and the same could be found in any Club across the country,” says Owen Charters, President & CEO, BGC Canada. “Removing barriers and creating opportunities for all kids and teens is at the heart of what we do, which is also encapsulated by our recent brand refresh to BGC. We are grateful to the Club youth in the video for so strongly representing all Club members across Canada.”

BGC Clubs give young people a platform to tell their own stories. The No. More. Barriers. video was filmed with Club youth, who also created the campaign’s soundtrack with the help of MJMS music school, and Club member testimonial inspired the illustrations. A behind-the-scenes video is also available, along with a graphic for media use.

“My experience at a BGC Club helped me realize my potential and see that I could become a leader,” says Valentina Shamoun, National Youth of the Year and member of BGC East Scarborough. “The No. More. Barriers. theme is empowering and reminds youth that the opportunities and support provided by our Clubs can help them overcome anything. I am excited to be part of such a powerful and meaningful campaign.”

As trusted community organizations, BGC Clubs continue to support young people and their families, virtually and in-person, by removing barriers and creating opportunities:

• In 2020, BGC Clubs across Canada provided 6.1 million healthy meals and snacks and increased food relief efforts in communities nationwide
• Club staff produced over 75,000 hours of high-quality virtual programming at the height of the pandemic
• BGC Clubs across the country run job readiness programs for youth and directly employ thousands of young people
• BGC Canada further embedded anti-discrimination practices across our organization, including an anti-racism toolkit, Truth & Reconciliation activation guide, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion training, microgrants for youth-led anti-racism projects, and more

And it’s working—young people who attend a Club struggle less with academics and are more engaged in learning, avoid risky health behaviours, and have less interaction with the justice system.

Our rallying cry? Opportunity Changes Everything. Learn more at opportunitychangeseverything.com.

About BGC Canada
For 120+ years, BGC Canada has been creating opportunities for millions of Canadian kids and teens. As Canada’s largest child and youth serving charitable and community services organization, our Clubs open their doors to young people of all ages and their families at 736 locations nationwide. During out-of-school hours in small and large cities, and rural and Indigenous communities, our trained staff and volunteers provide programs and services that help young people realize positive outcomes in self-expression, academics, healthy living, physical activity, job readiness, mental wellness, social development, leadership, and more. Opportunity changes everything. Learn more at bgccan.com and follow us on social media @BGCCAN.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jared Morrow, BGC Canada
jmorrow@bgccan.com
905-477-7272 x2202

Portion from of every Creature Creation sold September through October, to help support tomorrow’s leaders.

TORONTO, Aug. 31, 2020 /CNW/ – For the second time in three years, Baskin-Robbins Canada harnesses the heroism of Canadian school children to inspire its September fundraising and marketing efforts. With millions of children and youth expected to return to elementary and high schools or home studies, the ice cream brand launches, September 1, a two-month campaign to encourage customers to embrace  their new school routines with Creature Creations, its newly-launched line of ice cream treats. Thirty-one cents from the purchase of any Creature Creations item at Baskin-Robbins, September 1 through to October 31, will go to support the work of Boys and Girls Clubs in communities across Canada.

“Children are going through a lot these days,” says Natalie Joseph, representative for Baskin-Robbins Canada. “We are truly honoured to be there for them and their families and are ready to cheer them up with something everyone can get behind. Baskin-Robbins Creature Creations are the perfect way for families to enjoy an ice cream treat that will spark the imagination and provide a sense of wonder. We’re incredibly excited to be partnering with Boys and Girls Club of Canada to extend that feeling to kids across the country.”

This past July, Baskin-Robbins launched Creature Creations, a lineup of three creature-themed whimsical characters that elevates the traditional scoop to a new level of imagination. These Instagram-ready creatures can feature either a white chocolate monster’s eyeball, unicorn horn or mermaid fin to adorn the top of any flavour combination, placed inside a distinctive cup featuring the face of a mermaid, unicorn or Halloween monster.

To date, Baskin-Robbins Canada has donated more than $50,000 to Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada and is hoping to raise the bar on its contribution this year with a goal to raise an additional $15,000.

“For the past three years, we’ve aligned our summer or fall marketing efforts with the work of Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada, and it’s been truly amazing,” says Joseph. “With the help of our fellow Canadian customers, we’re able to bring a smile to our children, through ice cream, while supporting other children throughout our communities. We’re elated to be able to do this and encourage our customers to continue to be as generous as they can as we strive to increase our funds in this more challenging year.”

Baskin-Robbins will place collection boxes in-store to encourage donations.

“From successful fundraising campaigns to generous in-kind donations, Baskin Robbins Canada continues to show its commitment to Boys and Girls Clubs and the families and communities we serve across the country,” says Owen Charters, President & CEO, Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada. “We are thrilled to be their charity of choice and look forward to growing this partnership—the future is bright!”

With the help of more than 16,000 volunteers, 6,800 staff and caring corporate partners, Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada serves more than 200,000 kids each year in 775 communities across the country. Clubs provide programs in career development, cooking, lifestyle, leadership and learning. They provide a safe space for youth to learn and grow to become responsible, and compassionate citizens. 69 per cent of alumni of the organization say a Club saved their life. For more information, or to donate, visit bgccan.com.

To participate in the fundraiser, visit your local Baskin-Robbins shop or browse online at baskinrobbins.ca.

For more information about Baskin-Robbins Canada and its variety of ice cream flavours and frozen desserts, please visit baskinrobbins.ca, follow the brand on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest or visit any of Baskin-Robbins’s 104 shops across the country.

About Baskin-Robbins Canada

Baskin-Robbins was founded in 1945 by two ice cream enthusiasts who shared a dream to create an innovative ice cream store that would be a neighbourhood gathering place for families. Today, Baskin-Robbins Canada operates 104 locations in Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba and British Columbia. More than 300 million people around the world visit Baskin-Robbins each year to sample from the more than 1,300 flavour creations available in its ice cream library, as well as enjoy its full array of frozen treats including ice cream cakes.

Media contact and information

Samiha Fariha
Torchia Communications
416-341-9929 ext. 239
samiha@torchiacom.com

Tia Giannone
Torchia Communications
514-288-8290 ext. 233
tia@torchiacom.com

TORONTO, July 14, 2020 – SCENE, Canada’s #1 Entertainment Loyalty Program, launched their ‘Better Together’ campaign – a program offering new SCENE Experiences and charitable contributions designed to bring Canadians together, even if we’re apart. As the world begins to reopen, SCENE members will be able to safely celebrate with a much-deserved ‘SCENE Night Out’ or ‘SCENE Night In.’ Plus, from now until August 27, every time a member uses their SCENE card, $0.25 of the transaction will be donated to Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada, up to a maximum value of $210,000, so that kids and their families can enjoy much-needed experiences after this time of physical distancing. 

Whether it’s a SCENE Night In or a SCENE Night Out, you can make the most of every moment. Earn or redeem SCENE points when you dine in, or enjoy dinner out (physically distancing, of course!) with one of SCENE’s eight great restaurant partners. Enjoy a meal in-restaurant where locations are open, or from the comfort of your own home when you order online with Swiss Chalet, East Side Mario’s, Montana’s BBQ & Bar or Kelseys. Don’t forget to load your bonus offers through the SCENE app! Then make the night really special with dinner and a movie – get $1 off for every 100 SCENE points redeemed when you rent or buy the latest Hollywood titles and classic films from the Cineplex Store; or rediscover the magic of the big screen at newly reopened Cineplex theatres for only 500 SCENE points. For a limited time, members will also earn 125 SCENE points on all reduced-price tickets, including $2.99 Tuesday tickets.

“Now, more than ever, the value of spending quality time with our loved ones has resonated with Canadians and everyone around the globe,” said Matthew Seagrim, Managing Director, SCENE. “Our goal is to raise enough funds to donate $50,000 in cash and more than 3,000 SCENE experiences to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada to help families make lifelong memories.”

It is time to show that we’re better together, even if we’re apart. Use the hashtags #BetterTogether or visit SCENE’s social channels on Facebook (Facebook.com/SCENE), Twitter (@SCENECard) and Instagram (@SCENECard) to show how you are reconnecting with the people who matter most.

About SCENE
SCENE®, the entertainment rewards program launched by Scotiabank and Cineplex in 2007, has more than 10 million members across Canada. SCENE enables members to earn and redeem points for movies, movie downloads and rentals, as well as concessions. Members can also earn and redeem points for a night out at The Rec Room, Playdium and over 800 Recipe Unlimited Corporation (formerly Cara Operations Limited) restaurants across the country. Members can accelerate their earning power with the SCENE® ScotiaCard® debit card and SCENE® VISA card. 

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada
Community-based services. Positive relationships. Life-changing programs. As Canada’s largest child- and youth-serving charitable organization, Boys and Girls Clubs provide vital programs and services to over 200,000 young people in 775 communities across Canada. During critical out-of-school hours, our Clubs help young people discover who they are, what they can do, and how they can get there. Our trained staff and volunteers give them the tools to realize positive outcomes in self-expression, academics, healthy living, physical activity, mental health, leadership, and more. Since 1900, Boys and Girls Clubs have opened their doors to children, youth, and families in small and large cities, and rural and Indigenous communities. If a young person needs it, our Clubs provide it. Learn more at bgccan.com and follow us on social media @BGCCAN. 

Media contacts:

Cineplex Press Room
pressroom@cineplex.com

Jared Morrow
Media Relations Manager, Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada
jmorrow@bgccan.com