Global Fast Casual Franchise to Use Unique Donation Contest to Help Support Special Olympics Canada
KINGSTON, Ontario, Oct. 16, 2017 /CNW/ — Pita Pit® Canada, the fresh thinking, healthy eating brand founded in Ontario, is proud to announce a unique new expansion of its landmark partnership with motionball, the not-for-profit organization that builds awareness and raises funds for the Special Olympics Canada Foundation, through a new initiative that will ask Pita Pit’s loyal customers to “be a pita player.” Under the program, which will be featured at participating Pita Pit locations nationwide from October 16-October 27, any customer that donates to motionball will get a coupon for a $5.99 pita of their choosing on their next visit as well as their name on that store’s Wall of Fame.
“When Pita Pit first became the official national lunch sponsor for motionball, we were still learning just how truly amazing this organization is,” said Kevin Pressburger, President of Pita Pit Canada. “motionball has created a lasting legacy that has impacted thousands of lives across the country, and Pita Pit owners across Canada have truly embraced the cause. That’s why we’re so excited to be able to launch this new project to create an even bigger impact in our quest to help support the Special Olympics Canada Foundation.”
Pita Pit’s national partnership with motionball dates back to early 2016, and centers around two goals: raising awareness about motionball’s mission and supporting motionball’s Marathon of Sport events, held in cities across Canada. Pita Pit serves as the official lunch partner of motionball, providing fresh, healthy meals to athletes and support staff at Marathon of Sport events nationwide. Recently, more than 200 Pita Pit franchisees, corporate staff and vendor partners also banded together at the brand’s national conference, held in Huntsville, ON, to raise more than $45,000 for motionball.
Now, Pita Pit is asking its customers to join in the mission to help individuals with intellectual disabilities get involved and participate in sports in their communities across Canada. Pita fanatics can choose to donate $1, $3, $5 or a custom amount of their choosing with the purchase of any pita, with all proceeds going directly to motionball. Guests are encouraged to share their experience on social media using the hashtag #BeAPitaPlayer.
In addition, Pita Pit will host a special one-day event, dubbed “motionball day” on October 19, at its Etobicoke, ON location, featuring Pressburger, motionball Co-Founder and Chairman Paul Etherington and Special Olympics Canada athlete and Pita Pit Canada motionball ambassador Ethan Mustard. Additional “motionball day” events will also be held at select Pita Pit locations across Canada from October 16-27.
“motionball was founded on the idea of enriching the lives of those with developmental disabilities across Canada, and we are so humbled by Pita Pit’s support in that mission,” Etherington said. “To have so many Pita Pit franchisees partnering with us to make such a positive impact is truly a testament to the goodwill we have as Canadians, and we’re so excited to now be able to extent that partnership to Pita Pit customers nationwide.”
To help further encourage competition among franchise locations, Pita Pit franchisees in each region of the country–East, West and Ontario–with the highest dollar amount from donations at the end of the “Be a Pita Player” project will receive a trip for two to the motionball gala of their choice in Halifax, Toronto or Calgary.
“We feel truly fortunate to be able to partner with motionball in the communities we serve,” said Chris Fountain, CEO of Pita Pit Canada. “We know that our impact can reach far beyond just advocacy. By partnering in motionball’s mission from the ground up, we have the opportunity to work with our loyal guests to positively influences the lives of nearly one million Canadians living with intellectual disabilities. Pita Pit franchise owners and our corporate team are so excited to help bring even more support to this amazing cause.”
ABOUT PITA PIT®:
Founded in 1995 in Kingston, Ontario near Queen’s University, Pita Pit® is an innovative fast casual restaurant with a unique mindset that challenges consumers to Refuse to Settle™ for anything less than quality, healthy, freshly grilled food. After rapidly earning a loyal following in its home market, franchising began across Canada in 1997 and, in 1999, the brand expanded to the United States. Now boasting more than 650 stores across North America and internationally across 13 countries, Pita Pit offers its customers millions of ridiculously delicious, customizable flavour combinations of grilled meats, fresh vegetables, and zesty sauces all rolled into a unique and convenient pita package. For more information about Pita Pit, visit www.pitapit.ca or www.facebook.com/pitapitcanada.
ABOUT motionball
motionball was founded by three best friends who happen to be brothers. Mark, Sean and Paul Etherington have been aligned with Special Olympics Canada since childhood when they volunteered at fundraising events organized by their parents, who co-founded the Sports Celebrities Festival, which has raised in excess of $25 million for Special Olympics Canada since 1983. Noticing a lack of integration between supporters and the athletes they support, Mark, Sean and Paul Etherington brought motionball to life in 2002. Throughout the course of the motionball calendar year more than 6,000 supporters and Special Olympics athletes participate in 18 annual events in Calgary, Charlottetown, Halifax, Hamilton, Kelowna, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Saskatoon, Vancouver, Winnipegand Edmonton. motionball strives to encourage Canadians to come together and raise funds and awareness to ensure the long-term stability of the Special Olympics in Canada. For more information please visit: http://www.motionball.com or Facebook.com/motionball.