Montreal, February 13, 2018 — Air Transat is celebrating Valentine’s Day in a special way this year, by helping kids in Canada and around the world with a sweet gesture through its Small Change, Big Hearts program. From midnight to 11:59 p.m. on February 14, Air Transat will donate $1 for every like, comment or share on its Facebook and Instagram pages, up to $10,000.
Set up in 2004, Air Transat’s Small Change, Big Hearts program aims to collect small change, in any currency, from passengers aboard its aircraft, to donate to SOS Children’s Villages and the Children’s Wish Foundation, two charities dedicated to the well-being of children.
“As a tourism company, giving back to communities has always been a given for Transat,” says Annick Guérard, Chief Operating Officer at Transat. “That was the incentive behind Small Change, Big Hearts, an initiative that allows us to offer constant support to two organizations that are near and dear to our heart and that make a real difference in the lives of thousands of children every year. And we’re happy to say that we have accomplished our mission, since Transat has donated more than six million dollars to both charities since the creation of this program in 2004.”
In fact, starting last fall, clients who purchase a Transat package can also contribute to Small Change, Big Hearts by donating $1, $2 or $5 when booking online, by phone or through a travel agent.
Notable initiatives
This Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to honour Air Transat’s two partner charities. First, SOS Children’s Villages. Recently, a group of bloggers from Toronto and Montreal had the opportunity to visit SOS villages in Los Jardines del Norte and Los Mina in the Dominican Republic. The goal was to observe and attest to the quality of life of children in these villages, as well as to the tireless efforts of this charity to help local communities. This was an enriching experience for the bloggers, who were able to discover a little-known reality in the Dominican Republic.
Founded in 1949, SOS Children’s Villages is the largest charitable organization in the world working with orphaned and abandoned children. Present in 134 countries and helping more than 75,000 children, it offers children safe and nurturing homes and supports disadvantaged families with a host of strengthening programs.
Watch this video to find out what makes SOS Children’s Villages unique.
Founded in 1984, the Children’s Wish Foundation is a Canadian charity that grants wishes to children diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses, helping them, their families and their communities. By making their most heartfelt wishes come true, the organization brings joy to the children, relieving their pain and offering a respite for their families. It is with this in mind that every year, since 2006, Air Transat and the Children’s Wish Foundation have joined forces to present the Flight in Search of Santa, allowing more than 2,000 children to live out their dream of meeting Santa Claus.
Watch this video to relive the 2017 Flight in Search of Santa.
About Air Transat
Air Transat is Canada’s number one holiday travel airline in the Canadian and transatlantic markets. It also offers domestic and feeder flights out of five Canadian airports. Every year, it carries nearly 4.5 million passengers to approximately 60 destinations in 26 countries. Based in Montreal, the company employs 3,000 people and operates a fleet of Boeing narrow-body and Airbus wide-body jets. In 2017, Air Transat was named Best North American Leisure Airline for the sixth consecutive year by Skytrax. In recent years, the carrier has earned multiple distinctions for its efforts to reduce its environmental footprint. Since 2011, it has consistently been ranked number one in North America for energy efficiency, and in the Top 20 worldwide, by the Atmosfair Airline Index. Air Transat is a business unit of Transat A.T. Inc., a leading integrated international tourism company active in air transportation, accommodation, travel packaging and distribution. Transat was awarded Travelife Partner status in 2016 in recognition of its commitment to sustainable development. The vacation travel companion par excellence, Transat celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2017.
Contact: Marie-Annick Lalande, Public Relations and Marketing Advisor, Transat Tours Canada - 514-987-1616, ext. 4076