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CALGARY, Dec. 1 /CNW/ - WestJet today shared its pride over the 7,500 WestJetters who collected more than 2,400 toys for their annual WestJet Cares for Kids Toy Drive. Starting December 1, 2009, WestJetters across Canada will deliver the toys to 29 children's hospitals and pediatric wards in 27 cities.

"The economic recession has made it a tough year for many families across Canada but WestJetters' commitment to children's health and wellbeing is unwavering," said Richard Bartrem, WestJet Vice-President of Communications and Community Relations. "WestJet Cares for Kids is more than our flagship community investment program, caring for kids and caring for our communities is part of who we are. WestJet empowers our people to make a difference in our communities and our WestJetters can't wait to deliver toys to sick kids across Canada this holiday season."

In addition to a toy, the children and family members visited by WestJetters will also be given a special little WestJet Cares for Kids stocking. Each sock is stuffed with miniature flashlights, stickers, chocolates, note pad, luggage tags and a 30-minute calling card compliments of MTS Allstream Inc.

"MTS Allstream is pleased to participate in the annual WestJet Cares for Kids toy drive and provide a small gift to children in hospitals across the country," said Dean Prevost, President of Allstream. "We hope these gifts will bring a bit of hope and happiness to the kids and their families during the holiday season."

WestJetters will visit 29 hospitals in the 27 cities of Abbotsford, Calgary, Charlottetown, Comox, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Halifax, Hamilton, Kamloops, Kelowna, Kitchener/Waterloo, London, Moncton, Montréal, Ottawa, Prince George, Regina, Quebec City, Saskatoon, Thunder Bay, Toronto, Vancouver, Richmond, Victoria, Winnipeg and Yellowknife between December 1 and 14, 2009.

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 84 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. With future confirmed deliveries for an additional 51 aircraft through 2016, WestJet strives to be one of the five most successful international airlines in the world.

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