Over a decade ago, Jay’s Juniors started when local Detroit media personality, Jay Towers, noticed he received many letters and emails from families asking for help during the holidays. Many of these families had kids with life-altering or life-threatening medical conditions. Towers wanted a way to change these kids’ lives for the better, so he started Jay’s Juniors, which raises money to give kids and their family a free vacation to Disney World.

As Disney World is known for being the “Most Magical Place on Earth,” this free vacation often helps kids have a brighter holiday season. For many families who are helped by the program, a Jay’s Juniors vacation is their first real vacation. Families are able to travel to Disney World all expenses paid, including airfare, hotel stays, Disney passes and meals. A vacation that would normally cost a good amount of money is offered to families in need at zero cost, allowing these families to have a remarkable, life-changing trip with no financial burdens. In 2024, 17 kids and their families were able to experience the magic of Disney World, thanks to Jay’s Juniors.

Jay’s Juniors works with iHeart Media, which helps promote his generous program by offering advertisers sponsorships with proceeds going to fund his charity. Planet Fitness^® franchisees EPIC Fitness Group and Impact Fitness are long-time partners with the iHeart Media group of Detroit, so the franchise groups were asked to participate in Jay’s Juniors as a lead sponsor. Since 2018, the groups have been involved with Jay’s Juniors. The two franchise groups have been able to donate $65,000 per year for the organization. The groups’ involvement with Jay’s Juniors has not gone without notice and has made a big difference with the organization.

“Planet Fitness is such a positive, inspiring brand, and their partnership means so much to our listeners, the families we serve, and our entire team. Their involvement truly amplifies the impact of Jay’s Juniors,” Towers said.

On top of supporting Jay’s Juniors with donations, EPIC Fitness Group and Impact Fitness participated on the selection committee. They helped select kids for the yearly trip, which was challenging because so many kids were deserving. After all families had been notified, Jay hosted a meet and greet a month prior to the trip, which gave the franchisee groups a chance to put faces with the names. Overall, the franchisee groups’ involvement with the organization created a positive experience for everyone involved.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to meet kids and families of Jay’s Juniors at pre-trip events in the past,” said Mary Scott, vice president of marketing for EPIC Fitness Group.  “These families have been through so much, and it’s incredible to see the difference this trip can make for them.”