Bag of Hope: Charity Founded by Local Teen Adopted by Edmonton Business Team

EDMONTON, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Oct. 25, 2011) - Bag of Hope charity (formerly Hope in a Bag); started by an Edmonton teen, has found local business BubbleUp Marketing to take the reins of the organization. The marketing firm hopes to be able to maintain the integrity and vision of the charity while raising awareness about Bag of Hope, and help get the public involved.

Bag of Hope was started in 2006 by teenager Jesse Michaud, in the hopes that a small backpack full of toiletries, food items and warm socks, mitts and toques would help Edmonton's homeless with what he termed a little bit of "hope in a bag." With the help of his mother, Francine, Jess was able to distribute over 1500 backpacks in 5 years, stuffed with life's necessities, to the less fortunate on Edmonton's streets. This year, Jesse is completing his honours courses in Grade 12 and so he has asked for another community-minded individual to step in and take over…

Enter BubbleUp Marketing –a marketing firm looking for a way to give back to the community. Led by owner, Jason Vance, the company hopes to be able to not only keep up the good work of the Michaud family, but also help the endeavor grow over the next few years. With the help of generous media sponsors like CFCW Radio and CTV Television, BubbleUp has been able to start the Bag of Hope 2011 off with a bang, and are calling on the public to start helping them prepare for this year's campaign.

Bag of Hope is looking for donations of new items from the famously generous citizens of Edmonton. Ideal donations would include:

• CLOTHES: Men's hoodies, warm socks, warm gloves and long underwear (top and bottoms)
• TOILETRIES: shampoo, razors, shaving creme, deodorant for both men and woman,
• soap bars or liquid, first aid kits, bandaids, toothbrushes, toothpaste, toilet paper
• FOOD: granola bars, cup-a-soup, other items that can be opened without a can opener

A complete list of items can be found at www.bagofhope.ca/ideal-bag.

Items can be dropped off at CFCW Radio in Edmonton (2394 West Edmonton Mall) and at CFCW Camrose, or at all Edmonton UPS Store locations. The bags will be stuffed and delivered in mid-December to patrons of Jasper Place Health and Wellness Centre and St. Vincent De Paul.

Sponsored by: CFCW Radio, CTV Edmonton, The UPS Store (Edmonton), AG Woodcrafting, and members of Business Network International – 20 Local Area Chapters.

To learn more about Bag of Hope visit: www.bagofhope.ca OR www.bubbleupmarketing.com.