Kids' Horizons is involved in a broad range of initiatives that improve the lives of children. We regularly transport kids requiring specialized medical attention to the pediatric facilities best suited to their needs. We work to help children in the developing world, and we enable seriously ill children to realize a special dream. From collecting change at airport locations and onboard our international flights, to visiting hospitals; we're helping young people in ways large and small. Kids' Horizons supports hundreds of charities and non-profit organizations every year, but its main national partners are:
Breakfast Clubs of Canada and Quebec Breakfast Club want to make sure that all children start their day on a full stomach. Breakfast Clubs of Canada provides support and funding to 2,200 school nutrition programs attended every day by 220,000 kids across the country. Quebec Breakfast Club serves nutritious breakfasts to 15,000 kids in 201 schools located in underprivileged areas of Quebec. Thanks to the work of both organisations, children have the chance to start their day with a nutritious meal served in a nourishing environment.
Children's Miracle Network generates funds for research, education and prevention programs as well as specialized equipment. In association with its 13 member hospitals and foundations across Canada, Children's Miracle Network brings comfort and services to more than two million children each year. Air Canada supports Children's Miracle Network and its affiliated members in their fundraising efforts and helps bridge the gap between communities and medical expertise.
Dreams Take Flight works in collaboration with agencies and community groups across the country to take disabled and disadvantaged kids on a day of dreams. The children are flown to a Disney park for an all-expense-paid day of enchantment and entertainment. Employees donate their time, energy and talents to the cause, while Air Canada provides the aircraft and promotional assistance. Since its inception in 1989, over 10 000 children have visited Disney with Dreams Take Flight.
Free The Children is the world's largest network of children helping children through education. It was founded by a group of 12 year-olds dreamed of changing the world. Since then, Free The Children has grown into a youth movement that spans the globe. Today, through the voices and actions of youth, Free The Children has built more than 500 schools in developing countries around the world, providing quality primary education to more than 50,000 students every day. Visit www.freethechildren.com to learn more.
Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of seriously ill children and their families. Working with hospitals across Canada, the Foundation provides an impressive array of both inhospital and outpatient programs and services. A leader in delivering fun activities and wish granting, Starlight's programs reach out to over 12,000 children each month.
Street Kids International is a Canada-based charity that aims to give street kids around the world the choices, skills, and opportunities to make a better life for themselves. Street Kids International promotes a philosophy of empowering and supporting street children and youth that has positively influenced perceptions and programs internationally.
Here are some of Air Canada Kids' Horizons initiatives:
Every Bit Counts offers a change collection program where small change can be donated on board Air Canada international flights.
In an effort to raise more funds for pediatric hospitals across Canada, Air Canada Kid' Horizons teamed up with airport authorities and expanded the program with the addition of globe collection containers in some Canadian airports.
In September 2008, in collaboration with the Greater Toronto Airport Authority, you may now deposit your spare change in the globes located in the Toronto International Airport.
More recently, in November 2008, with the collaboration of the Quebec Airport Authority, globe containers are also located in the Quebec International Airport.
By locating these globes prominently in several airports in Canada, we make it easy for people to donate their change to the program. The money generated from these globes will be added to the small change already collected on board Air Canada international flights and donated to Children's Miracle Network for distribution amongst their 14 pediatric hospitals across Canada.
Wings of Courage is a fairly new initiative. It started at SickKids Hospital a year ago and has now expanded to BC Children's Hospital in Vancouver. Each month, Air Canada pilots visit children at the children hospitals and either read stories to them or participate in an activity. Then, the children are presented with a special honorary pilot certificate and a medal recognizing their courage in fighting illness.
Spread the Net works to purchase and distribute anti-malarial bed nets to African Children. Every 30 seconds a child dies of Malaria, making it the single largest cause of death for children under five years of age. Air Canada works with Spread the Net to help African children protect themselves from this terrible disease.
One Child is a Canadian-based, non-governmental organization dedicated to the elimination of the commercial sexual exploitation of children abroad. OneChild is driven by children and youth with a shared passion for playing an active role in confronting the commercial sexual exploitation of children , and preserving the innocence of their peers around the world.
Please note the following video is in both official languages
