FedEx Canada Donates $100,000 Towards In-School Mentoring!

Burlington , On., May 1, 2007 – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada (BBBSC) today announced that a stellar lineup of Canadian corporations will be supporting its efforts to find mentor volunteers for the thousands of children on its waiting lists. With the support of title sponsor FedEx Canada and joined by COGECO Cable, Shaw and Star Choice Television, and Universal Home Studios Entertainment, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada is launching the third annual nationwide campaign May 1st to help raise awareness for In-School Mentoring and the impact positive role models bring to the healthy development of children and communities throughout Canada.

‘We believe that by working with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada we can help to reduce the two years that many children are spending on agency waiting lists,” said David Binks, president of FedEx Express Canada. “Knowing that so many benefits are generated by having a positive role model, we can leverage our resources to spread the word about the many innovative new mentoring programs offered by Big Brothers/Big Sisters.”

Research on the Big Brothers Big Sisters programs in both Canada and the United States shows that the provision of a mentor (a positive adult role model) directly contributes to increased academic achievement, better family and peer relationships, a substantially lower reliance on social assistance, and more successful transition from school to work. In addition, the young person is less likely to be involved in drugs, underage drinking and smoking, violent behaviour and criminal activity.

“We are extremely grateful to FedEx Canada for their generous donation which has given Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada the opportunity to renew the In-School Mentoring campaign,” said Bruce MacDonald, President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada. “Like many charitable organizations, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada works with the corporate community to strengthen our cause and improve our ability to serve more children.”

WHAT IS IN-SCHOOL MENTORING?

It’s a small commitment that makes a big difference. Become a mentor to a child in a school environment. You’ll help build a child’s self-esteem and school performance while having a lot of fun. And it only takes one hour a week during the school year.

One child. One hour a week. One BIG reason to go back to school.

Here’s what our partners are doing:

FedEx Canada

FedEx Canada is the title sponsor for the 2007 In-School Mentoring campaign and is funding a radio and cinema media buy in various Canadian markets. The media buy will consist of a 30 second radio and television Public Service Announcement beginning May 1, 2007.

In addition to the radio support, FedEx Canada will be distributing a Business to Business insert promoting the In-School Mentoring program to more than 100,000 customers throughout the month of May. For more information about FedEx, please visit www.fedex.ca.

COGECO

TVCOGECO stations will be airing the 30 second In-School Mentoring television commercial, “One Big Reason” throughout the month of May.

Additionally, COGECO Cable will be supporting Ontario markets with In-School Mentoring billing statement messages in May.

Shaw and Star Choice Television

Shaw and Star Choice television networks will be airing the 30 second In-School Mentoring television commercial, “One Big Reason” throughout the months of April and May on specialty channels such as A&E, TLC and CNN.

Universal Studios Home Entertainment

The Universal Studios Home Entertainment website, www.udvd.ca will include a promotional link to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada’s In-School Mentoring campaign website, www.sharealittlemagic.ca throughout the month of May.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada is the nation’s largest youth mentoring organization providing quality adult mentoring services for 23,000 children in more than 1000 communities. For more than ninety years Big Brothers Big Sisters organizations in your community have been there to help provide a positive influence in the life of a child when one is needed.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada believes that “Every Child In Canada Who Needs A Mentor Has A Mentor ”. Join our effort to help Canadian children and youth, visit www.sharealittlemagic.ca to find out how you can become an In-School Mentor.

For more information on the May In-School Mentoring campaign or to receive a copy of the radio and television PSAs please contact:

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada

Melanie Snyder, Director of Marketing

905-639-0461 x 15

msnyder@bbbsc.ca

www.bbbsc.ca