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Airline brings to life miracles inspired by Boys and Girls Club kids
CALGARY, Dec. 11, 2017 /CNW/ - WestJet today released its Christmas Miracle video, WestJet's 12 Flights of Christmas, recalling the joy and wonder of Christmas celebrations through the eyes of children—specifically youth from Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada.
The video, a compilation of 12 flights broadcast to Facebook Live, featured Blue Santa, Mrs. Claus and celebrity guests bringing surprise and delight to hundreds of WestJet guests. Thousands of the airline's Facebook fans tuned in to watch daily for 12 consecutive days at the end of November. But one important detail that remained a secret is now revealed in the hero video released today. WestJet based its 12 miracles on children's ideas of what Christmas should be.
"WestJet creates holiday magic for Canadians every year. This year, we asked for help from youth from St. Alban's Boys and Girls Club," said Richard Bartrem, WestJet Vice-President Marketing Communications. "Christmas, through the eyes of a child, is magical and the children gave us wonderful inspiration for surprising our guests. The best part was that the children got to be present to witness their own miracle come to life."
From cuddling with 40 puppies (and one cat) at the Calgary International Airport, to a world made of gingerbread at the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport, to the Nutcracker performed at the arrivals area in the Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport, to a life-sized snow globe at Toronto Pearson International Airport, 12 events were held on 12 consecutive days in 10 cities and one in-air flight. To watch each miracle in action, visit the WestJet Christmas hub.
"Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada and WestJet Cares for Kids share the same goal: making the impossible possible," said Mathieu Chantelois, VP of Marketing & Development, Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada. "For the last ten years, WestJetters have gone above and beyond to support our Clubs and our communities and we can't think of a better way to celebrate. We are proud to be a part of their 12 Flights of Christmas video and we look forward to the future of our partnership."
WestJet Cares for Kids and Boys and Girls Clubs across Canada are sharing the video to inspire Canadians to support their local Club. WestJet supports the Club through the donation of the gift of flight to offer opportunities for youth and staff to travel to training, activities and events, and to allow the Club to fundraise to support enriching programs and essential services that benefit young people, their families and their communities. For their help with WestJet's 12 Flights of Christmas, the airline donated $10,000 to the St. Alban's Boys and Girls Club in Toronto. The partnership between WestJet and Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada recently celebrated a huge milestone – the 10th anniversary of WestJet Cares for Kids. For information on supporting Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada, visit https://www.bgccan.com/en/.
About Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada
As Canada's largest child- and youth-serving organization, Boys and Girls Clubs provide vital programs and services to over 200,000 young people in nearly 700 communities across Canada. During critical out-of-school hours, our Clubs offer safe spaces where young people can explore their interests, develop their strengths, and realize positive outcomes in self-expression, academics, healthy living, physical activity, mental health, and more. Our trained staff and volunteers help young people build the confidence and sense of belonging they need to overcome barriers, form positive relationships and mature into responsible, caring adults. Visit www.bgccan.com to learn more and follow us at www.facebook.com/bgccan and www.twitter.com/bgccan.
About WestJet
WestJet is proud to be named Best Airline in Canada and one of the best Low Cost Airlines in North America, based on authentic reviews from the travelling public on Trip Advisor, the world's largest travel site. We are one of very few airlines globally that does not commercially overbook. Together with our regional airline, WestJet Encore, we offer scheduled service to more than 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe and to more than 175 destinations in over 20 countries through our airline partnerships. WestJet Vacations offers affordable, flexible vacations to more than 60 destinations and the choice of more than 800 hotels, resorts, condos and villas. Members of the WestJet Rewards program earn WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more. Members use WestJet dollars towards the purchase of flights and vacations packages to any WestJet destination with no blackout periods, and have access to Member Exclusive fares offering deals to WestJet destinations throughout our network and those of our partner airlines.
WestJet is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol WJA. For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.
Recent recognition includes:
2017 Five-Star Airline in the Low-Cost Category (The Airline Passenger Experience Association)
2017/2016 Canada's Most Trusted Airline (Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria)
2017 Best Airline in Canada and Travellers' Choice Winner Mid-Sized and Low Cost Airlines – North America (TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2016 Canada's most reputable company for Corporate Social Responsibility (Reputation Institute)
2016/2015/2014/2013/2012 Ranked top three for Canadian Brands (Canadian Business Magazine)
2016/2015/2014/2013 WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard ranked #1 in Canada (MoneySense magazine)
2015/2011/2010/2008/2007/2006/2005 Canada's Most Admired Corporate Culture (Waterstone Human Capital)
2015 Best Employers in Canada (Aon Hewitt)
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SOURCE WestJet
