member news
Sunshine Fitness Management Installs Two Buddy Benches
in Central Florida to Foster Judgement Free Generation
W
ith Planet Fitness® being known for its Judgement Free
Zone®, it was no surprise when the company, in conjunction with STOMP Out Bullying™, launched a $1.3 million
commitment to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America in March to
create the Judgement Free Generation™.
Franchisees Eric Dore and Shane McGuiness wanted to get
involved in the community and help foster the Judgement Free
Generation, so when Marketing Manager Anthony Roberts Jr.
recommended implementing the buddy bench concept, the duo
was on board.
Buddy benches can be found throughout the world and are
designed to give children a place to go when they feel lonely. The
idea is that if children see someone sitting on a buddy bench, they
could go sit and talk to them or invite them to play.
“We believe that the buddy bench concept aligns perfectly
with Planet Fitness’ anti-bullying initiative. It brings the Judgement Free Generation that’s exhibited in our clubs into the
Boys & Girls Clubs locations where the bench is present,” said
Dore. “It reinforces anti-bullying and pro-kindness and hopes to
provide a place for inclusion, friendship and fun for these youth
and young adults.”
“It reinforces anti-bullying and prokindness and hopes to provide a place
for inclusion, friendship and fun for
these youth and young adults.”
2016 Issue 3 | GearedUp
– Franchisee Eric Dore
6
Sunshine Fitness Management, which owns and manages
28 units, installed two buddy benches in early August just in time
for the new school year. One is located at the Boys & Girls Clubs’
Universal Orlando Foundation branch, and the other is at the
organization’s Tupperware Brands branch in Kissimmee.
“We chose these locations because we took a look at the two
largest clubs in the area and decided those were the clubs that
would have the largest impact on as many people as possible,”
said Dore. “A playground can be a great or lonely place for a kid.
With the bench being a permanent fixture at the Boys & Girls
Clubs, we hope that it’s a constant reminder for youth to be kind
to one another.”
Dore said that as the relationship between Sunshine Fitness
Management and the local Boys & Girls Clubs continues to grow,
more buddy benches will be installed. In addition to installing the
benches, Sunshine Fitness Management’s involvement includes
hosting school supplies drives, sponsoring field days where
employees volunteer at local clubs, and trainers offering fitness
classes at clubs.
“Once the benches were installed, the Boys & Girls Clubs of
Central Florida and Planet Fitness conducted four workshops to
Sunshine Fitness Management installed two buddy benches – one at the
Boys & Girls Clubs’ Universal Orlando Foundation Branch and another
at the Tupperware Brands branch in Kissimmee – to help foster friendships
and prevent bullying.
help teach middle and high school children about bullying prevention, and we reached more than 500 students,” exclaimed Dore.
“The workshops were designed to help the youth and young adults
identify what bullying is and what they can do to help ‘stomp out’
bullying, as well as what the buddy bench is and how to use it.
They went over really well, and we’re really pleased with working
with our local Boys & Girls Clubs on this project.” G