Bills Toronto Series, the Rogers Centre and the YMCA Create a Healthy Future for Kids

Bills players visit Mississauga YMCA to open new Youth Zone and conduct a Junior Training Camp

TORONTO, Oct. 25, 2011 /CNW/ - With low rates of physical activity among school-age children, the Bills Toronto Series, Rogers Centre and the YMCA of Greater Toronto are partnering to get kids healthy in the community by creating a safe and exciting space for youth to feel connected, get active, and free them from boredom.

The Bills Toronto Series and the YMCA of Greater Toronto teamed up for the second year of a three-year community partnership. This collaboration includes a fitness membership program at all eight Health, Fitness and Recreation Centres in Toronto, the establishment of an NFL flag-style youth football program and the dedication of newly constructed Youth Zones.

As a part of the 2011 community partnership, the Buffalo Bills rookie players including #55 Kelvin Sheppard, #75 Chris Hairston, #26 Justin Rogers, #25 Da' Norris Searcy, #85 Lee Smith, #51 Chris White, #20 Johnny White, #23 Aaron Williams, #88 Kamar Aiken, #69 Michael Jasper, #46 Doyle Miller, #47 Joshua Nesbitt and #68 Keith Williams visited the Mississauga YMCA.

The visit to the Mississauga YMCA consisted of the dedication of a newly constructed Youth Zone that includes an air hockey table, Pump-It-Up Pro Dance arcade machine, Slam-N-Jam basketball machine, Nintendo Wii and Xbox 360 Kinect video game machines, table tennis table, foosball table, computers, televisions, Buffalo Bills Fathead wall graphics and furniture.  With 93 percent of youth not meeting the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity a day, this Youth Zone will be a place where children ages 8 to 18 can be active in a safe, fun and stimulating environment.

The YMCA established a Youth Advisory Council to help design the space that will feature interactive fitness equipment, a homework area and lounging space where they can spend time with friends and peers.

After the dedication of the Youth Zone, the Bills Rookie Club conducted a Gatorade Junior Training Camp interactive football program designed to stress the importance of physical fitness, good sportsmanship and teamwork for boys and girls between the ages of eight and twelve years old.  The Gatorade Junior Training Camp is a part of the Buffalo Bills Play 60 program which encourages children to be physically active for 60 minutes every day.

"Daily physical activity is vital for growth of children and teens. With the rise in childhood obesity and chronic health issues, the Y wants to be part of getting kids active and healthy, and thanks to the Bills and Rogers Centre, the Y is able to tackle these issues," said Anthony Ierulli, Mississauga YMCA Health, Fitness & Recreation manager.

"The creation of the new Youth Zone will provide members with an area designed by them and exclusively for them where they can connect through cool fitness activities," said Mary Owen, Bills executive vice president of strategic planning.  "The Bills Toronto Series is proud to again join the YMCA of Greater Toronto to promote the NFL Play 60 initiative and create this great new Youth Zone for kids."

"We are very proud to once again partner with the Buffalo Bills and the YMCA on the Youth Zone," noted Silvio D'Addario, Rogers Centre vice president of events, and Bills Toronto Series general manager. "This partnership is a great way to give back to the community and for the Bills and the Bills Toronto Series to assist the YMCA in helping shape the youth of the Greater Toronto Area into leaders for our future."

This is the second major investment from the Bills to the YMCA GTA in the last two years in support of youth initiatives.  This generous donation represents a continuing partnership between the two organizations as both reach out to youth in GTA communities, engaging young people in developing healthy attitudes towards sports, recreation and fitness.

The YMCA of Greater Toronto
Established in 1853, The YMCA of Greater Toronto is a charity connecting with more than 542,000 people at 425 locations. The largest of Canada's 50 YMCAs, the YMCA of Greater Toronto serves the communities of Toronto, Durham, Peel, York, Halton and Dufferin County, the YMCA works to build strong kids, families and communities. The YMCA, in partnership with more than 250 organizations, offers a variety of programs responding to the needs of the community, including employment, education, newcomer programs, youth outreach and intervention, fitness and recreation, child care and camps.  www.ymcagta.org.  Join our cause at facebook.com/ymcagta or follow the Y on Twitter at twitter.com/ymcagta.

Buffalo Bills, Inc.
Founded in 1959, the Buffalo Bills are one of the most storied franchises in the National Football League (NFL).  The Bills have won two American Football League (AFL) Championships (1964 - 1965) and won an NFL record four straight AFC Championships (1990 - 1993) that included four trips to the Super Bowl.  The Bills pride themselves on being actively involved in the Western New York community by establishing player outreach programs, supporting educational and community service initiatives, encouraging health and wellness and providing opportunities for local youth football players.  Under the guidance of Hall of Fame member and original team founder, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr., the Bills are proud to be a member of the Western New York community for over 50 years.  For more information regarding the Bills in the Community, visit buffalobills.com, call [phone], become a fan on Facebook at facebook.com/buffalobills, or follow the Bills on Twitter at twitter.com/buffalobills.

For further information:

Celecia Partap, YMCA of Greater Toronto, 416.413.1020 ext. 2350, [e-mail]
Chris Jenkins, Buffalo Bills, 716.312.8702, [e-mail]
Andy Major, Buffalo Bills, 716.312.8624, [e-mail]