News Releases

Outpouring of support makes Joel Grimard's return home extra special

CALGARY, June 19, 2015 /CNW/ - Leading up to Father's Day this weekend, WestJet and Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Canada are sharing a heartwarming update to the Grimard family story. Featured in the airline's 2014 video tribute to Father's Day, the family's update can be found on the WestJet blog.

"The story of Marc and Angela Grimard and their sons Joel and Mathieu captured the hearts of Canadians last year," said Corey Evans, WestJet's manager, Sponsorship, Community Investment and Experiential Marketing. "Since we first told their story, something very special has happened to the family and we wanted to share the good news. On behalf of all of us at WestJet and RMHC Canada, it's our way of wishing dads and their families a happy Father's Day on Sunday."

Viewed more than one million times in the past 12 months, WestJet's 2014 Father's Day Surprise video featuring the Grimard family of Prud'homme, Saskatchewan, and highlighting the work of the airline's WestJet Cares for Kids partner, Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada, can be viewed at youtube.com/westjet.

About WestJet
We are proud to be Canada's most-preferred airline, powered by an award-winning culture of care and recognized as one of the country's top employers. We offer scheduled service to more than 90 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe. Through our regional airline, WestJet Encore, and with partnerships with airlines representing every major region of the world, we offer our guests more than 120 destinations in more than 20 countries. Leveraging WestJet's extensive network, flight schedule and remarkable guest experience, WestJet Vacations delivers affordable, flexible travel experiences with a variety of accommodation options for every guest. Members of our WestJet Rewards program earn WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more. Our members use WestJet dollars towards the purchase of WestJet flights and vacations packages on any day, at any time, to any WestJet destination with no blackout periods  ̶  even on seat sales. For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.

Recent recognition includes:
2015 Best Employers in Canada (Aon Hewitt)
2014 Interbrand Canada's Best Canadian Brands (Rank #20)
2014 Brands of the Year (Strategy magazine)
2014 Canada's Most Preferred Airline (Ipsos)
2014 Value Airline of the Year (Air Transport World magazine)
2014/2013/2012 Canada's Most Attractive Employer (Randstad)
2014/2013 WestJet RBC MasterCard ranked #1 in Canada (Money Sense magazine and RewardsCanada.ca) 
2014/2013/2012/2011 Highest equity score: airline, vacation package supplier brands (Harris/Decima EquiTrend Study)

Connect with WestJet on Facebook at facebook.com/westjet
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Read the WestJet blog at blog.westjet.com

About RMHC                      
In 1982, Ronald McDonald House Charities® Canada was founded to be the everlasting organization to support Ronald McDonald Houses and their programs in Canada. Ronald McDonald Houses provide a home away from home for out-of-town families with sick children being treated at a nearby hospital. Today, 14 Ronald McDonald Houses serve more than 20,000 families each year. Completing the circle of support for Canadian families are 11 Ronald McDonald Family Rooms®, which provide an oasis of calm and support right inside the walls of the hospital, as well as the 2 Ronald McDonald Care Mobile® programs in Calgary, Alberta.  As their largest donor, McDonald's® Restaurants of Canada and its Owner/Operators donate 10 cents from every Happy Meal® to Ronald McDonald Houses across Canada. Donate online at rmhc.ca or in-person through the coinbox at McDonald's® restaurants across the country.

Twitter: @RMHCCanada
Facebook: facebook.com/RMHCCanada
Website: rmhc.ca

SOURCE WestJet