Planet Fitness Spends a Day at The Zoo and Raises More Than $50,000 to Make Wishes Come True

Planet Fitness owners and their employees, club members and vendors contribute to Make-A-Wish® Michigan's largest Walk For Wishes event

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Planet Fitness

Jun 10, 2015, 08:30 ET

TROY, Mich., June 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Detroit area Planet Fitness owners and their employees, club members, and vendors rallied together to raise more than $50,000 for Make-A-Wish Michigan. More than 4,000 walkers attended the Make-A-Wish Michigan's 17th Annual Walk for Wishes on May 2.

The Planet Fitness metro Detroit owners granted the wishes of two children. Katlyn of St. Clair, Michigan is 15-years-old and is a heart transplant recipient. Katlyn loves cheerleading and shopping, and wished to go to California. Her wish was granted with a recent trip to the west coast, where she enjoyed the beach. Alyssa of Canton, Michigan is 14-years-old and was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Her wish for a bedroom makeover came true when Make-A-Wish Michigan redesigned it in her two favorites: purple and sparkles.

"Our employees, club members and vendors played a very big role in this event," said Bryan Rief, co-owner of 16 clubs in metro Detroit. "Together, they raised more than $25,000. Without their help, we couldn't have made this the largest Walk for Wishes event in Michigan history."

"When we called our vendors, they were quick to respond to this outreach," said Jim Matthew, who owns 6 Detroit area clubs, with Dennis Backos.

"Speaking on behalf of all the Detroit owners, Laura and Bryan Rief, Dennis Backos, Jim Matthew, Ron Huling, my wife Ellen and myself, we were all very excited to support Make-A-Wish Michigan and to honor Katlyn and Alyssa," added Chris Klebba, owner of 5 of the local clubs. "These two girls are amazing examples of the difference Make-A-Wish is able to make in families' lives, and we are honored to meet them both and hear their courageous stories. We are also overwhelmed with the support we received from our vendors and in our local clubs, over 300 members recruited to the Planet Fitness team."

At the closing ceremony, the Detroit owners presented a check to Make-A-Wish Michigan, assisted by wish children Katlyn and Alyssa and their families. "This is a true testament to what teamwork can do," said Ron Huling, also a Detroit owner. "We had a beautiful day, the skies were clear. Hundreds of employees, club members and vendors showed up. We couldn't have asked for a better day."

About Planet Fitness
Founded in 1992 in Dover, N.H., Planet Fitness is one of the fastest-growing full size health club franchises in the United States. With more than 900 locations nationwide, Planet Fitness has revolutionized the industry with a combination of extremely low prices and a unique, friendly, and hassle-free environment called the Judgement Free Zone®. The company prides itself on giving people an unbeatable value, top-notch facilities, and an atmosphere that focuses on the needs of occasional or first-time gym users rather than hard-core fitness fanatics. All Planet Fitness clubs feature a wide selection of brand-name cardio and strength equipment, and provide unlimited fitness instruction with all memberships.

Planet Fitness is a national brand partner of NBC's The Biggest Loser®. For more information, visit www.PlanetFitness.com.

About Make-A-Wish^® Michigan
Since 1984, Make-A-Wish^® Michigan has granted more than 8,000 wishes to Michigan children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Make-A-Wish Michigan serves children throughout the entire state and is funded through community support. More than 80 percent of each dollar spent directly benefits the Michigan wish-granting program. Visit www.michigan.wish.org to learn more.

Contact:
Chris Klebba
Planet Fitness Franchise Owner
810-360-0380
Email

SOURCE Planet Fitness