Schools Without Borders and Aeroplan Partner Together to Raise more than One
Million Aeroplan Miles

The Million Mile Campaign draws to a close with a final weeklong blitz

TORONTO , Nov. 10 /CNW Telbec/ - Schools Without Borders (SWB) in partnership with Aeroplan's Beyond Miles Program have been running the Million Mile Campaign since October 12, 2009 in an effort to raise One Million Aeroplan Miles for SWB programs around the world. This month long effort, in which Aeroplan will match every mile that is raised, will come to a successful end on November 13, 2009 .

Through this partnership, more than 30 ambassadors signed up to help SWB raise one million Aeroplan Miles. SWB uses the miles to send Canada's most talented young leaders to countries around the world such as Kenya and Brazil to learn about best practices in community development, with a focus on arts, culture and sports-based projects. Moreover, the partnership enables SWB to bring youth leaders from the developing world to Canada to share their innovative approaches to community building, and help to infuse these ideas into our neighborhoods. Schools Without Borders builds the capacity of youth organizations both at home and around the world. With 15 amazing programs in 11 different countries around the world, young people have an incredible opportunity to learn outside of their community, and bring something home that can make a tremendous impact.

"Aeroplan's Beyond Miles Program enables members to donate miles to eight exceptional Canadian charities including SWB that are dedicated to improving lives and enriching communities in Canada and abroad. We are proud to support Schools Without Border's efforts in working on some of the most dynamic youth projects in the world," says Vince Timpano, President, Aeroplan. "The Million Mile Campaign is a great example of how members can make a difference by empowering our young leaders one mile at a time, with every donated mile matched by Aeroplan."

Participating Ambassadors are responsible for taking the Million Mile Campaign to their company, friends, family and community to encourage Canadians to get on board and donate their miles. Best of all, the Ambassador who raises the most miles through their network will be offered the opportunity of a life time to experience one of SWB's projects in Kenya or Brazil . The winning Ambassador will be hosted by Safe Spaces, a program led by girls that is focused on HIV/AIDS and sexual health operating in the slums of Nairobi . SWB believes it is crucial for their ambassadors to have a personal experience that further inspires their work in Toronto .

"Safe Spaces has given me the courage to talk about girls and issues that I thought I would never talk about," says Kenya Saida, Participant in the Safe Spaces Program, Nairobi . "It has really changed my life."

"Our partnership with Aeroplan's Beyond Miles program has opened up a world of possibilities. We now have the real ability to make cross-cultural and international experiences more accessible for youth" says Chris Kang , Executive Director, Schools Without Borders. "We are very proud of the work we do and want to continue supporting youth leaders who impact communities around the world."

How to Donate:

Donating is easy and only takes a few clicks. Please visit www.swb.ca/donate/aeroplan to make a donation of Aeroplan Miles. A minimum donation of 1,000 miles is required. If contributing less than 1,000 miles, please donate at www.aeroplan.com/donate.

About Schools Without Borders (SWB)

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SWB is an award winning Canadian charity committed to training youth around the world to step up and take leadership roles in communities plagued by violence, poverty and corruption. Their mission is to support young people to create platforms for change and build the communities they want to live in. Whether it's through photojournalism workshops in Brazil , sexual health training for young women in Kenya , basketball programs in Swaziland , or organizational mentorship in Canada , SWB transforms hands-on experiences and community projects into life-long learning experiences. SWB operates on a global platform with 30 staff and volunteers across 11 countries. Funding is received from strategic partners including the Canadian International Development Agency, Ontario Trillium Foundation, Laidlaw Foundation, Arts Council of Toronto , Ontario and Canada , and Aeroplan Beyond Miles Program.

About Aeroplan Beyond Miles

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The Beyond Miles program invites Aeroplan members to join us in supporting eight Canadian charitable organizations through the donation of Aeroplan Miles including: Schools Without Borders, Earth Day Canada , Engineers Without Borders-Canada, Médecins Sans Frontières-Canada, The Stephen Lewis Foundation, Veterinarians Without Borders-Canada and War Child Canada . In addition to supporting these organizations, Beyond Miles also supports Air Canada's Kids' Horizons, a program dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of Canadian children and youth and their families. In 2008, more than 57 million miles were donated to Beyond Miles. For more information about Beyond Miles, please visit www.aeroplan.com/donate.

For further information: or to schedule an interview with representatives from Schools Without Borders, please contact: Charlene McAnoycharm, communications, [phone], [email protected]