How one foundation's $1 million pledge is changing children’s lives

(BPT) - Every child deserves the chance to play, dream and just be a kid — no matter what their circumstances. That's why the Unleashed Brands Foundation — the charitable affiliate of the leading youth enrichment platform Unleashed Brands — has pledged $1 million over the next five years to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). This significant commitment will support LLS's mission to cure blood cancer and improve the quality of life of all patients and their families. With this commitment, the Unleashed Brands Foundation becomes a key supporter of the Dare to Dream Project, LLS's flagship initiative focused on transforming treatment and care for children with blood cancer.

You might not recognize the Foundation by name, but you've likely encountered one of the eight Unleashed Brands youth enrichment companies: Urban Air, The Little Gym, Premier Martial Arts, Snapology, Sylvan Learning, Water Wings Swim School, XP League and Class 101. These brands serve millions of families nationwide, helping kids learn, play, and grow from infancy through adolescence. Through this pledge, the Foundation is turning the everyday moments families already know — birthday parties, play dates, after-school programs — into meaningful action.

Every Guest Can Make a Difference

Beginning this June, families will have a new, simple way to support children battling blood cancers. A new "round-up" feature will be activated across all Unleashed Brands companies, giving guests the opportunity to round up purchases to the nearest dollar at checkout. With 20 million visits expected across the platform this year, these small contributions can add up to big impact — funding research, advancing safer treatments, and supporting families when they need it most.

Sock It to Cancer Returns This Fall

This September, in honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, all Unleashed Brands locations will join together in the annual Sock It to Cancer campaign by selling limited-edition socks, with proceeds benefiting the LLS Dare to Dream Project.

A history of care and support

The Unleashed Brands Foundation supports national and regional nonprofit partners that provide opportunities to at-risk youth. Together, they are focused on creating the ultimate comeback kids.

While this $1 million pledge is new, the heart behind it isn't. The Foundation was created to help kids thrive — and across the country, franchisees are bringing that mission to life every day.

While each franchise is its own entity, Unleashed Brands has a culture of care that inspires franchisees to make a meaningful impact. Below are just a few examples of how that commitment is making a difference in communities across the country.

• Urban Air Brockton, MA, stuffed 1,000 teddy bears to deliver to local hospitals and nonprofits, bringing comfort and joy to children across the city.
• The Little Gym of Keller, Texas, teamed up with Toys for Tots to collect gifts for families in need. Their generosity filled donation boxes with toys, ensuring that more children had something to unwrap — and smile about — during the holidays.
• Urban Air of Southlake, Texas, help underserved kids gear up for the school year. Hundreds of kids walked away with backpacks, supplies, food, fun and confidence, all thanks to their community stepping up.
• In Sterling Heights, MI, Urban Air hosted a blood drive, bringing in donors and collecting enough to save dozens of lives.
• In Dayton, OH, Class 101 rallied around Ava, a young woman diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma. By providing scholarship support and encouragement, the local Class 101 team showed her and her family that she was not alone.
• In Jersey City, New Jersey, The Little Gym hosted its Third Annual Diaper Derby. This joyful, hilarious and meaningful event supports diaper banks and families in need.

Curious to learn more about Unleashed Brands Foundation? Visit InvestInKids.org to learn how you can support children and families affected by blood cancers.