Help find Canada's missing children through the Most Valuable Network

WestJet and the Missing Children Society of Canada ask Canadians to join the world's first online search party for missing kids

CALGARY, May 25, 2016 /CNW/ - In recognition of International Missing Children's Day, WestJet and the Missing Children Society of Canada (MCSC) are asking Canadians to join the world's largest online search party by donating their social media feeds to the Most Valuable Network. The goal is for 41,342 new users to sign up today – one new user for each child reported missing in one year. The first hours after a child goes missing are crucial to their safe recovery, which is why it's so important to spread the word quickly through social media.

"Caring for children is a priority for us," said Jenifer Badry, WestJet Team Lead, Community Investment. "We believe it is integral to spotlight our WestJet Cares for Kids partner, MCSC, and encourage WestJetters and Canadians to join us in proactively taking care of the most vulnerable among us – children. Through the Most Valuable Network we believe that we can actually put an end to child abductions. If a person knew that millions of people in the social world were watching they may be less inclined to take a child."

Created in partnership with Microsoft, the Most Valuable Network allows MCSC to automatically post missing children alerts to the user's donated Facebook or Twitter account for followers, fans and friends to view. When an alert is issued, the viral power of social media enables MCSC to reach hundreds of thousands of Canadians within mere moments of an alert going out. To join the network go to http://mcsc.ca/search-program/most-valuable-network/ and click on the Facebook and Twitter icons to donate your social media feeds. Canadians are also encouraged to spread the word by using the hashtag #MostValuableNetwork.

"In honour of the children who have been found and the children who are still missing, we ask Canadians to take just one quick moment to join the Most Valuable Network and help bring a child home," said Amanda Pick, Missing Children Society of Canada Chief Executive Officer. "We know that once a child is missing, time is of the essence. Activating the Most Valuable Network ensures that, within seconds, the information reaches every user within the targeted geographical area. Donors and their networks will instantly know to be on the lookout for abnormal situations in their community or anywhere they may be, including bus stations, railway stations and airports. In addition, the notifications can be easily shared with their friends and followers to multiply the number of people who see the alert, increasing the chances of finding that child."

For more than 30 years, Missing Children Society of Canada has been providing information and support for families with missing children. MCSC works closely with law enforcement, families and the public, providing professional investigative services, family support, resources and more – all free of charge. On average, the organization closes three registered files per week. Currently, more than 1.4 million Facebook users and 185,000 Twitter users have donated their feeds to the Most Valuable Network.

About the Missing Children Society of Canada
Founded in 1986, MCSC is now celebrating 30 years of service. MCSC is committed to assisting enforcement and families in the active and ongoing search for missing children. MCSC is unique in how they serve by utilizing hands-on investigation and cutting-edge technology to provide first-responder support to law enforcement agencies when a child goes missing. MCSC's comprehensive programs assist police and families in active and ongoing searches for missing children, helping to bring answers, raise public awareness, returning children to a safe haven and reuniting families. For more information, please visit mcsc.ca.

About WestJet
We are proud to be Canada's highest-rated airline for customer service, powered by an award-winning culture of care and recognized as one of the country's top employers. We offer scheduled service to 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe. Through our regional airline, WestJet Encore, and with partnerships with airlines representing every major region of the world, we offer our guests more than 150 destinations in more than 20 countries. Leveraging WestJet's extensive network, flight schedule and remarkable guest experience, WestJet Vacations delivers affordable, flexible travel experiences with a variety of accommodation options for every guest. Members of our WestJet Rewards program earn WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more. Our members use WestJet dollars towards the purchase of WestJet flights and vacations packages on any day, at any time, to any WestJet destination with no blackout periods  ̶  even on seat sales. For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.  

Recent recognition includes:
2015/2011/2008-2005 Canada's 10 Most-Admired Corporate Cultures (Waterstone Human Capital)
2015/2014/2013/2012 Canada's Most Attractive Employer (Randstad)
2015/2014/2013/2012 Top three brands in Canada (Canadian Business magazine)
2015 Best Employers in Canada (Aon Hewitt)
2015/2014/2013 WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard ranked #1 in Canada (MoneySense magazine)
2015/2014/2013 WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard ranked #1 in the Canada's Choice ranking (RewardsCanada.ca)
2014 Interbrand Canada's Best Canadian Brands (rank #20)
2014 Brands of the Year (Strategy magazine)
2014 Canada's Most Preferred Airline (Ipsos)
2014 Value Airline of the Year (Air Transport World magazine)
2014/2013/2012/2011 Highest equity score: airline, vacation package supplier brands (Harris/Decima EquiTrend Study)

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SOURCE WestJet