TORONTO, May 27 /CNW/ -What:        To kick off Jumpstart Days, Canadian Tire Jumpstart
                 Charities is holding its Annual Recognition Meeting and
                 Fundraising Event this Friday, May 29th.

                 The Annual Recognition Meeting recognizes the invaluable
                 support of community partners, employees and business
                 partners and celebrates the accomplishments of the Canadian
                 Tire Jumpstart Charities.

                 Following the Annual Recognition Meeting, participants are
                 invited to join more than 1,000 Canadian Tire employees and
                 community partners at a barbecue and fundraising event in
                 support of Canadian Tire Jumpstart Days. Participants will
                 have the chance to participate in the Dorel Build-a-Bike
                 Contest, with all bikes being donated to kids in financial
                 need, test their skills in the 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament
                 sponsored by Wilson, shoot some goals in the Ball Hockey
                 Challenge and meet 2008 NASCAR Champion Scott Steckly.

    Who:         Martha Billes, Chairman, Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities
                 Stephen Wetmore, President and CEO, Canadian Tire
                  Corporation
                 Steve Crisp, Father of Brandon Crisp who passed away in
                  Barrie last year
                 Kelly Murumets, President and CEO, ParticipACTION
                 Scott Steckly, Driver and 2008 Champion, NASCAR Canadian
                  Tire Series

    When:        Friday, May 29th
                 Annual Recognition Meeting 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
                 Barbecue and Fundraising Event 12:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

    Where:       Canadian Tire Home Office
                 Canadian Tire Conference Centre
                 2200 Yonge Street
                 (Yonge and Eglinton)
                 Toronto, ON

    Background:  During Jumpstart Days on Saturday, May 30th and Sunday, May
                 31st, 2009, Canadian Tire is donating $1 to Canadian Tire
                 Jumpstart® for every purchase made. The goal is to raise
                 enough funds to give up to 20,000 kids in financial need the
                 chance to play this summer. Canadian Tire Jumpstart® is a
                 community-based charitable program that helps
                 underprivileged kids across Canada aged 4-18 participate in
                 organized sports and recreation such as hockey, dance,
                 soccer and swimming. The program covers costs such as
                 registration fees, transportation and equipment and helps
                 kids to develop important life skills, self esteem and
                 confidence. Since 2005, 279 Canadian Tire Jumpstart Chapters
                 have been formed in communities across the country helping
                 more than 159,500 needy kids by the program. For more
                 information, visit www.canadiantire.ca/jumpstart.