From the Heart: Boston Pizza Guests Raise Over Half a Million Dollars to Help Canadian Youth

From coast to coast, Boston Pizza guests opened their hearts and their wallets to raise $518,747 for charity this past Valentine's Day, exceeding the goal of $485,000. The restaurant's annual heart-shaped pizza fundraiser took place on Saturday, February 14 at more than 360 locations nationwide in support of Boston Pizza Foundation (BPF) Future Prospects.

BPF Future Prospects raises funds and awareness for a variety of local, regional and national organizations that are committed to providing children with positive role modeling and mentoring programs. This year marks the 23rd anniversary of the annual Valentine's Day program, which has raised more than $6 million since it began in 1993.

"We're so grateful to the thousands of Canadians who support our mission to help youth access positive role models and mentors," said Cheryl Treliving, Executive Director of Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects. "This is our most successful Valentine's Day campaign to date and the funds raised will directly impact the lives of hundreds of kids across Canada."

One dollar from the sale of every heart-shaped pizza sold at Boston Pizza on February 14 was donated to Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects. From January 12 to February 14, guests were also invited to purchase a Boston Pizza Peel & Win Heart for a minimum donation of $2. Each Peel & Win Heart revealed a prize such as a free Panookie, a free Starter or $2 off a dessert.

Proceeds from the Valentine's Day campaign supports: Big Brothers Big Sisters, which provides mentorship and guidance to nearly one million Canadian children at risk; Live Different, which delivers motivational school assemblies, workshops and leadership training programs through Canada's public, Catholic, and independent middle and secondary schools; Kids Help Phone, which helps ensure young people have ongoing access to its essential, professional and innovative counselling and support services; the JDRF Ambassador and Leadership program which provides youth and teens with type 1 diabetes opportunities for leadership, mentoring, and presentation training; and, the Rick Hansen Foundation which creates more opportunities for those with disabilities by actively removing barriers and by inspiring the next generation to understand the importance of accessibility and inclusion.

About Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects

Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects was established in 2014 to raise funds and awareness for organizations that provide kids in Canada with role models and mentoring programs. BPF Future Prospects is proud to partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Kids Help Phone, Live Different, JDRF and the Rick Hansen Foundation. Since its inception in 1990, the Boston Pizza Foundation has raised and donated more than $18 million to directly improve the health and well-being of children and families.

About Boston Pizza

Boston Pizza International Inc. is Canada's No. 1 casual dining brand with more than 360 restaurants in Canada and more than $1 billion in sales. Annually, Boston Pizza serves more than 40 million guests. The company has been recognized as a Platinum Member of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies. Boston Pizza believes that strong role models inspire kids to be great, and in 2014, the Boston Pizza Foundation created Future Prospects to help support organizations that mentor kids to reach their full potential. Boston Pizza International Inc. is located in Richmond, B.C. and has regional offices in Mississauga, Ontario and Laval, Quebec. For more information, visit www.bostonpizza.com.

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