This year our achievements will allow us to purchase 2,000 backpacks, supplies and to support after school activities for families that struggle to send their kids back to school with the tools they need to learn.
David Ingram, President & CEO, easyhome

eashyhome CEO David Ingram delivers the goods during easyhome's first annual "Backpack Challenge" in 2005. Last year's event netted $53,000 to purchase 1,500 youth and children backpacks, filled with school supplies. See photos of last year's event.

easyhome (EH.TO), Canada's largest rent to own company, will be leading the 2nd Annual "Backpack Challenge" in all 180 stores.

The "Backpack Challenge" focuses on preparing the children of the BGC to return to school with the necessary tools needed for a successful education. On July 14th & 15th, all of our easyhome stores will be promoting the event at store-level, having fun in reaching our goal of 2,000 backpacks, fully stocked with school supplies, for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada.

Last year, over $53,000 was raised through the inaugural "Backpack Challenge", allowing easyhome to distribute over 1,500 backpacks and a check for $28,731 to Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada. In 2005, easyhome raised over $81,600 combined, through our payroll deduction program, "Backpack Challenge", local store community fundraisers, and Christmas fundraiser. See photos of last year's event

This year, the top store in raising funds for the entire year will be selecting a Store Associate, to join a Corporate Associate to experience a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, in Africa. These two Associates will be the focus of our Mount Kilimanjaro Climb for Backpacks fundraiser in the summer of 2007.

To add some additional energy and excitement to the event, if we reach our full year goal of $100,000, David Ingram (President & CEO), will be contributing an additional $50,000 to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada.

The "Backpack Challenge" will raise funds through various strategies:

1. easyhome will donate a percentage of it's revenue for the 2 days. (July 14th & 15th)

2. Each store will be participating in the XBOX 360 raffle; this gives a child the chance to win a HOT NEW XBOX 360 by correctly answering 3 easy gaming questions and entering into the draw. The winner will be drawn on July 17th. There will be one winner across Canada. Parents will be encouraged to make a $2 donation for the prize ballot at a store near them.

3. Each store will participate in local fundraising initiatives, such as a car wash, BBQ, bake-sale etc. easyhome stores will post window signage communicating their local store initiatives.

4. Associates will have the opportunity to make their own donation for this cause.

5. easyhome's vendors have also committed cash, supplies, and product to make this event a success.

David Ingram, said, "after personally handing out 400 backpacks to the children at the Dovercourt and Hamilton Boys and Girls Clubs during our "Backpack Challenge Drop-off Event" last summer, meeting the volunteers and staff, taking a tour of the Club, and talking and playing sports with the children, I am more determined than ever to see us succeed and grow at a fundraising event. This year our achievements will allow us to purchase 2,000 backpacks, supplies and to support after school activities for families that struggle to send their kids back to school with the tools they need to learn."

In 2004, easyhome announced a national charitable partnership with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada. The goal of this partnership is to demonstrate a commitment by investing in Canada's most precious national resource, our children. There are approximately 102 local Boys and Girls Clubs serving 21,000 young people in 600 community-based locations in 28 different languages, across Canada. They offer a wide variety of services ranging from nutrition to after school programs.