For the seventh year in a row, PF Michigan sponsored the annual Walk for Wishes event, which is a fun-filled walk that raises money for Make-A-Wish Michigan. With the money raised from the event, children with critical medical illnesses are granted wishes through Make-A-Wish Michigan. The event included a walk through the Detroit Zoo, kids’ activities and refreshments.

Leading up to the event in May, Planet Fitness^® employees and members started a campaign in early April raising funds to support the Make-A-Wish Michigan. In fact, one Chesterfield PF^® member gave $500 on the spot after learning more about the Make-A-Wish Foundation. By the time of the event, funds and sponsorship fees raised totaled $95,767.

iHeart Media helped spread the word and raise funds for both the PF sponsorship and the walk itself through social media and public service announcements. iHeart Media also had Make-A-Wish ambassadors, including Mojo, Darrius, Doug Podell, Chelsea and Bushman, to help promote the walk.

After being held virtually for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Walk for Wishes occurred at the Detroit Zoo May 7. That morning, a crew of Street Team members arrived at the zoo at 6:30 a.m. to set up the PF Michigan booth. The Street Team booth was stocked with swag, and all PF team members wore the 2022 purple Walk for Wishes T-shirt.

All week leading up to the event, the weather forecast had warned of ominous rain showers and cold temperatures during the event. Luckily, the weather forecaster was wrong, and the event’s attendees got to enjoy nice weather! Rain or shine, people showed up to support the event. There were nearly 2,000 walkers who participated in the walk.

The event made a huge impact on the Make-A-Wish Michigan cause. Including its sponsorship fee, Planet Fitness clubs throughout Michigan raised nearly $100,000 for the 2022 Walk for Wishes. The group had a $360,000 fundraising goal for the walk, and it surpassed the goal by raising over $370,000. More than 800 Michigan children are currently on the waiting list for a life-changing wish, which cost on average about $11,161 for each wish. The money raised helped grant wishes for these children in need.

“We are proud to partner with and support Make-A-Wish to make a difference in the lives of children and their families who are enduring the unimaginable,” said Bryan Rief, co-owner and CEO of PF Michigan Group. “Thanks to the hard work of our employees and generosity of our members and partners, we were able to achieve our goal of contributing nearly $100,000 to Make-A-Wish this year.”