BounceU of Sarasota Hosts "Families Helping Haiti" Fundraiser

By: BounceU | 1,021 Shares 180 Reads

Local Family Hotspot Partners with Local Non-Profit Organization, Agape Flights, When it Matters Most

January 29, 2010 // Franchising.com // Sarasota, FL - The tragedy of the recent Haitian Earthquake has touched the lives of thousands and individuals around the country are looking for ways to help. Local business owner of BounceU of Sarasota has taken it upon herself to make a difference by working with a local organization that is directly benefiting the victims of this natural disaster.

On Wednesday, February 3, 2010 from 10am-7pm, the BounceU of Sarasota will host a "Families Helping Haiti" fundraiser. The fundraiser will benefit a local non-profit organization, Agape Flights, a non-profit Christian missionary that has delivered supplies and support to Haiti for more than thirty years prior to the Haiti earthquake tragedy. Each week, Agape Flights serves 130 missionaries and missions in the earthquake ravaged city of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and an additional 200 more families throughout Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Bahamas.

"When I first heard about the Haiti Earthquake I knew I wanted to help and would offer my services to make an impact," said Meredith Armstrong, Owner of BounceU of Sarasota. "Every day at BounceU we touch hundreds of lives with our spectacular events, but today we are able to go global with our abilities and make a difference to people that need us more than ever."

BounceU of Sarasota's "Families Helping Haiti" fundraiser will raise funds and collect high demand supplies for the local non-profit organization. BounceU will have "Open Bounce" sessions throughout the day, with one hour bounce sessions offered from 10am till 3pm, and 40 minute sessions offered from 3pm till 7pm. The cost will be $5 per bouncer, with 100% of the proceeds going directly to the Agape Flights restricted funds "Haiti Relief 2010." BounceU will also have several auctions, including memorabilia from the Baltimore Orioles, and raffles in which all proceeds will also be donated to Agape Flights.

In addition to open bounce, auctions and raffles, BounceU will have collection boxes set up in the BounceU stadium for the community to donate needed items, which Agape Flights will directly fly over to Port au Prince. The most needed items are: tarps, tents, pick axes, sledge hammers, rice, beans and tomato sauce. To see a full list of needed supplies visit: http://www.agapeflights.com/Haitiupdates.asp.

"We are blessed to have BounceU of Sarasota and local families help us directly support the victims of the Haiti Earthquake," said Mike Labady, Agape's Emergency Field Director. "It is always great to see the local community coming together in a time of need and we greatly appreciate BounceU and the community's support.

In the first two weeks after the Haiti Earthquake disaster on January 12, 2010, Agape Flights made more than 60 flights to Port au Prince, delivered over 125,000 pounds of donated emergency supplies, transported medical teams to Haiti and evacuated 8 orphans. Agape Flights is flying often and is able to land in Port au Prince. Agape Flights' planes are being met by the missionaries they serve and the supplies are reaching the medical clinics, orphanages, schools, and churches through the 130 missionary families they regularly serve in Haiti. The money that is raised from BounceU of Sarasota's "Families Helping Haiti" fundraiser and the items collected from the drive will be used for extra flights of disaster relief supplies to Haiti.

"Everyone wants to help the victims of the earthquake and I hope the 'Families Helping Haiti' fundraiser will help raise awareness, money and needed supplies for Agape Flights that are going into Haiti every day," explained Armstrong. "Helping the victims of this tragedy allows me to sleep a little sounder knowing that I did not just passively sit around and wait for someone else to make something happen. I think the families in and around Sarasota feel the same way as I do. We can all help in some way, even if it is donating a box of Band Aids or a jar of peanut butter. Every little thing helps."

The BounceU of Sarasota specializes in creating a private party experience, ideal for children's parties, mom's clubs, sports teams, and other events featuring the latest interactive indoor inflatable equipment, such as Dodge City, Spider Mountain, and Air Cannon Alley, all located in a private bounce stadium.

BounceU of Sarasota is located at 1925 Northgate Blvd.

About BounceU

BounceU was founded in 2003 in Gilbert, AZ to fill a need for a clean, private and safe indoor party place for kids. Created with customer service in mind, BounceU is a children's playground franchise model that brings full-service parties to families that create memories that last a lifetime. BounceU was acquired by PIU Management in 2008, the company that originated the indoor inflatable concept in 2001 in Pleasanton, CA. Today, BounceU has 52 locations in 24 states, with 30 new franchise locations in development. PIU Management has over 215 locations nation-wide and a total of 80 locations in development under two brand names.

###