Employees from Gildan’s head office recently volunteered at FitSpirit’s Montreal spring celebration event, welcoming over 4,000 girls from schools around Montreal, encouraging them to engage in sports and physical activity. During the event, employees supported races, helped at water stations, and assisted with event cleanup. The volunteering initiative was part of Gildan’s three-year strategic partnership with FitSpirit, a non-profit organization with a mission to help teenage girls to be physically active throughout their lives and creating unforgettable experiences for them.

By creating a safe and fun environment, FitSpirit’s spring celebrations aim to reduce biases associated with girls in sports, allowing them to experience the excitement, energy, and community that physical activity can cultivate.

“Gildan’s partnership with FitSpirit goes beyond strengthening our immediate community and helps build health and resiliency in future generations of the community too,” says Jessy Hayem, Senior Vice-President, Head of Investor Relations and Global Communications at Gildan. “I am proud of our employees’ contribution towards promoting the benefits of physical activity and outdoor sports among teenage girls, parents, and the community at large.”

Marina Crovari, Director, IT Administration at Gildan and a volunteer at the recent event says, “I was thrilled at the opportunity to be a volunteer during FitSpirit’s Celebration event, as it is an organization that my own daughter greatly benefits from through her school. I'd like to set an example for my children about the importance of giving back, both in time and presence. Having the chance to do it through Gildan and see my daughter and her friends actively engaged in FitSpirit’s mission first-hand was a special experience.”

With Gildan’s support, FitSpirit aims to engage 1,500 girls across 50 public schools in Montreal. From meetings with potential partners to the recruitment of ambassadors with diverse profiles and the training of school staff, Gildan is investing in FitSpirit’s mission to help teenagers benefit from the advantages of physical activity. Additionally, the project will help foster the girls’ personal development and the emergence of their leadership skills, enabling them to positively transform their school environments and contribute to the well-being of their respective communities.

Promoting good health and well-being is just one of the ways in which Gildan invests in its communities. Find out more about the Company’s community investment policy and initiatives here.