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This past June, Sunshine Fitness Management, owned by Eric Dore and Shane McGuiness, provided a series of coding classes for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida (BGCCF). This unique, four-week course engaged youth and taught the fundamentals of coding through fun, interactive classes with Mad Science, a leading science enrichment provider.

“We are thrilled for our members to attend these classes that hopefully sparked an interest and curiosity for subjects that will be crucial to their success in life,” said Nic Freeman, volunteer resources manager for BGCCF. “We place an emphasis on encouraging our youth to be productive, responsible and caring citizens, and we are grateful that our partnership with Planet Fitness^® continues to foster those same values.”

The coding program offered middle school- and high school-aged youth the opportunity to discover the wonder and excitement of coding through problem-solving, creativity and robotics activities. It also provided participants the chance to work with some of the latest technology, including Ozobots, award-winning coding robots that use game applications and creative curriculums to inspire children and get them actively involved in creating technology.

“It’s important to get children interested in science and math at a young age, and these hands-on coding and robotics classes are designed to show them these core subjects can be fun and exciting,” said Anthony Roberts Jr., marketing manager for Sunshine Fitness Management. “We value our partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs as a way to reach out to the youth of our country and instill positive values in them that will help them throughout their lives.”

The Boys & Girls Club and Sunshine Fitness Management support the Triple Play initiative – a game plan for the mind, body and soul – to develop healthy habits, daily challenges and social recreation within youth. “Someone asked me why Planet Fitness would introduce coding to Boys & Girls Clubs,” said Roberts Jr. “It’s due to us primarily wanting to focus on anti-bullying and pro-kindness, but if we are to be true partners of the Boys & Girls Clubs, we must also uphold their existing beliefs. We want to also focus on whole child development, and we support their Triple Play initiative.”

In June, six employees from Bravo-Fit, owned by Tanner Halton, and nine employees from OKTA Holdings, LLC, owned by Octavio and Kalpana Lubrano, along with two trainers, came together to sponsor the inaugural Sam Day 5K and Birthday Bash in Cedar Mill, Oregon.

The event, which had over 450 participants this year, was started in honor of Sam Day who was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a rare and relentless bone cancer, in 2010 at the age of 9. At diagnosis, Sam was said to have a 75 percent chance of surviving for five years or more, but after a year of remission, Sam relapsed and his prognosis became extremely poor. Sam kept fighting but passed away on Aug. 27, 2016, at age 15 after battling the cancer for six years. Soon after his passing, Sam’s family started the Sam Day Foundation to raise awareness for Ewing Sarcoma and to help fund medical advancements.

On June 23, what would have been Sam’s 17^th birthday, Cedar Mill residents came out in droves to support childhood cancer research and to participate in the first-ever Sam Day 5K. Planet Fitness^® was among supporters and was one of three main sponsors. While some employees manned a booth, others participated in the race. The group also provided a birthday cake to Sam’s family, and several trainers even led a warm-up with all of the runners. In addition, the Planet Fitness booth provided water and other PF^® swag and info.

“It’s awesome bringing the Judgement Free Zone^® outdoors, especially in Oregon. It was a pleasure supporting the Sam Day 5K with the Lubranos,” said Halton. “PF franchisees are involved in hundreds of these events across the continent, but with the passion and gratitude that you see in the franchisee community, it’s not a shock. Sometimes the four walls of a club just aren’t enough to contain the Judgement Free Zone.”

In June, four Planet Fitness^® employees gathered in Bend, Oregon, for the state’s largest food festival. The festival, now in its sixth year, runs a total of three days and celebrates the region’s distinct cuisine and culture.

The event prides itself in bringing tasting opportunities and hand-ons experiences together, and attendees can participate in a variety of activities such as chef demonstrations, a Top Chef competition and a 5K Beer Run. Those in attendance can also indulge in live music, a marketplace and “The Bites,” a collection of over 40 food vendors with trucks, carts and booths promoting their restaurant.

New this year was the Conscious Living Showcase, which highlighted vendors from various companies that promote health, wellness and nutrition, and Planet Fitness wanted to be a part of the action. Bravo-Fit, owned by franchisee Tanner Halton, set up a booth at the Conscious Living Showcase to expose Bend residents to all that Planet Fitness has to offer.

“This was an amazing experience,” said manager Kendall Haggard. “Bend is such a health-conscious town, so for us to be invited as the only fitness club at the entire event, it was truly an honor.”

Planet Fitness employees staffed the booth and were around to answer any questions the attendees had. They even had cornhole boards and cheered on those running in the 5K Beer Run.

“I think what makes us so perfect for an event like this is because how truly judgment free we really are,” said Haggard. “If you want to come up with funnel cake and play cornhole, then by all means, let’s play! Winner gets the rest of the funnel cake!”

For the second time this year, GNT Holdings helped build homes with Habitat for Humanity. This is the fourth year in a row that GNT Holdings has taken time out of their busy schedule to install siding and flashing, lay down tile and help out in whatever way they can to build houses for those in need.

“Volunteering is the ultimate demonstration of community and being the change you want to see,” said Megan Beaver, regional manager with GNT Holdings. “You focus all your energy not on fighting the old but building the new. Planet Fitness^® can do things Habitat cannot do. Habitat can do things Planet Fitness cannot do. But together, we are doing great things to build a bigger Judgement Free Generation^®.”

Fifteen volunteers from GNT Holdings stepped up to the plate and learned new skills for building homes – skills they can use around their own homes!

“I enjoyed volunteering with Habitat,” said Kristy Jones, club manager of the Winston Salem Peters Creek location. “I really believe in Habitat for Humanity’s purpose and viewed this as a blessing to serve others. I loved the fact that we were completely selfless in this moment. We worked together, combined skills, acquired new ones and encouraged each other the entire time! The whole experience was pretty awesome, not to mention my team, in particular, are basically pros at installing tile, so call GNT when you need assistance. I’m looking forward to many more opportunities with Habitat!”

But building houses with Habitat for Humanity was not the only team-building activity the company has participated in recently. Earlier this year, the group held a celebration at GoPro to honor and acknowledge all of the hard work GNT Holdings and its staff put in during the beginning of the year. “We have had a great year so far, and this event was simply to celebrate getting through the busy season,” said Janess Reyna, marketing director for GNT Holdings. “We feel like the work-hard, play-hard mentality really describes our organization. During our busy season, we work long, hard hours to ensure that our members receive the best possible experience. Once things slow down, we really like to take the opportunity to celebrate those successes.”

The celebration included lunch catered by Moe’s, a state of the union update from Director of Operations Andrew Watkins and franchisee Gerald Kennedy, and go-kart racing.

“The GoPro event was amazing,” said Watkins. “We work really hard all year and had an amazing peak season! Being able to go out during a workday to celebrate an awesome peak season – and, really, an awesome 2017 – is what it’s all about, and what better way to celebrate than by getting on some go-karts that go 55 mph and trying to beat the owner of the company?”

PF Louisville, LLC and 2016 Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson scored big for two local charities, raising $29,000 with five exclusive autograph signings at Louisville-area PF^® clubs.

“It was an honor to host Lamar and have so many members and non-members take advantage of the opportunity to meet him and wish him well, all while benefiting two great organizations that impact the communities in which they exist,” said PF Louisville CEO Rick Kueber.

The four Louisville-area club appearances raised $25,000 for Blessings in a Backpack, while the Elizabethtown, Kentucky, event brought in $4,000 for the local Mission Hope for Kids. Planet Fitness^® members received a complimentary autograph. Non-members paid a $25 fee with 100 percent of the proceeds going toward charity.

“These past two weekends have been about meeting the fans and raising money for two great charities who help kids and families,” said Jackson following the appearances.

The five appearances drew more than 3,000 fans to the five clubs, including more than 1,000 non-members. Some of those who attended endured single-digit temperatures the first weekend and light rain showers the second, and some fans gathered as early as four hours before the advertised start time.

Jackson’s appearances were the latest in a line of player appearances, giving PF Louisville members an added benefit and drawing non-members into the club.