Let's find out more about this Expedition and why I do this...

First of all, as most of you know if you've read a bit in this site, I'm a Fitness Instructor in a gym called Énergie Cardio. This is a big company here in Quebec with over 80 locations throughout the province. It is well known from the population since there is a lot of publicity, visibility and a lot of members (140 000 members). We are 7 000 000 people living in the french part of Canada.

Since 1999, Énergie Cardio has been engaged with Opération Enfant Soleil, a charity foundation for sick children, and has raised a lot of money for them. Every year, in the different locations, they make a lot of activities to raise the money. We believe that youth is the future and that is why we've made it our cause!!!

In June of every year, there is a TELETHON OPÉRATION ENFANT SOLEIL going on TV. It lasts for 2 days and people call to give money and the producers presents a huge variety show and they have interviews with sick children who were given a second chance or are still in treatment and their parents and a lot of nice things to be inspired with. Every year Énergie Cardio goes on stage to give their big check, because they DO believe in the cause.

This year, the Expedition to Kilimanjaro is part of their program to raise more money.

The name of the expedition:

 "AU SOMMET POUR LES ENFANTS"

(To the summit for the children)

All participants (there is room for 20. I don't know if it's all booked) need to raise $1500 canadian dollars. If all the places are filled, we are going to have $30000 and of course, Énergie Cardio will give a huge amount as well.

The expedition is planned so that we will get to the summit during the telethon. The organizers are planning to have a satellite phone conversation with the people in Quebec, on TV, when we get there.

Taking care of all the organization of the trip is an adventure travel company EXPLORATEUR VOYAGE. They are specialized in that kind of out of bound trip and are planning the whole thing. We will have a meeting soon with the company and the group. So far, we've just communicated by e-mail.

On our own, we are doing activities to raise the $1500. We can do whatever we want, there is no limit, as long as we absolutely give all the money to Opération Enfant Soleil. I decided to organize SUPER WORK OUT sessions. In all, I organized 4 of them. Actually, it is a 1.5 hours of big sweating and muscle toning, along with some boxing moves and finish the whole thing with a bit of Yoga... Of course, I'm going to give the classes and I'm charging $15.00 each participant. I'm going to give the classes in different locations and on different dates. I thought it was easy to do this, it doesn't take too much preparation, just bring my music, my aerobic shoes and my enthusiasm.

I have one coming next wednesday (march 21rst), at my job, at 4pm. Then I have another one at my gym on april 1rst, at 10am. Another one is planned also at my job on may 3rd. And I'm making arrangements now to have another one of these classes in my hometown, with all my friends and family. It's going to take place in april as well. I have a friend in charge of finding a place for the class to take place.    

Besides the SUPER WORK OUT sessions, I got sponsored by my dentist with toothbrushes and I'm selling them for $5.00 each.

Pierre Arès, Dentisterie Esthétique

1832, Sherbrooke Ouest

Montréal, Québec

514-939-2600

Check the UPDATES section for more details on the day to day progress of my fund raising !!!