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PARKERSBURG -- Planet Fitness franchisees have raised more than $1 million for Boys & Girls Clubs of America and STOMP Out Bullying, an anti-bullying campaign through a company's November membership sale.
The Judgement Free Generation is Planet Fitness' philanthropic initiative to bullying by creating a culture of kindness and encouragement.
From Nov. 9-16, Planet Fitness invited everyone to take part in the effort to end bullying. New members could join any Planet Fitness club and all of their enrollment fee was donated to the cause. In addition, existing Planet Fitness members could donate $1 and write their name on a paper pinup displayed at the front desks of Planet Fitness clubs throughout the country.
"We are committed to eliminating judgement in our clubs, but we also believe it is critical to spread a culture of kindness and encouragement in our communities and to kids everywhere," said Chris Rondeau, Planet Fitness chief executive officer. "With 91 percent of teens believing we lack kindness in the way we treat one another, we know that now, more than ever, we need to come together to support this important cause. I am extremely proud of the collective effort of our franchisees and our members for their support. Planet Fitness will continue to find ways to support a more inclusive generation of kids and teens, and we are proud of what The Judgement Free Generation has accomplished in its inaugural year."
Since The Judgement Free Generation's launch in March 2016, anti-bullying tools and resources created by STOMP Out Bullying have been made available to the more than 4,000 Boys & Girls Clubs across the country. Planet Fitness also has funded trainings for Boys & Girls Clubs youth development staff with the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence to create positive, judgement-free environments that will help kids and teens thrive.
The company also launched the first of a series of mini Judgement Free Zones, which are welcoming gym spaces in local Boys & Girls Clubs.
"Our partnership with Planet Fitness, and our alliance with STOMP Out Bullying and the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, gives Boys & Girls Clubs the critical resources needed to recognize, address and combat bullying experienced by our teen members," said Jennifer Bateman, vice president of health, wellness and gender at Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "Social and emotional well-being is an essential component to one's overall health and wellness. The Judgement Free Generation is ensuring that our teens have what they need to put them on the path to a great future."
Ross Ellis, Founder and CEO, STOMP Out Bullying said emphasizing the importance of kindness, which is critical to youth character development, must continue.
"Our thanks to Planet Fitness for their generosity and partnering with us to strengthen our message," he said.
Planet Fitness has been a proud champion of encouraging people to be "judgement free," inviting members to come work out as they are, without fear of being criticized or judged.
With more than 1,200 locations nationwide, each location's walls provide inspirational messages of encouragement such as "You Belong" and "No Critics."