Detroit-Area Planet Fitness® Franchise Group and the Detroit Red Wings Announce Fourth Annual $10,000 “SHUT OUT BULLYING” Contest

Photo: Courtesy of Planet Fitness Planet Fitness Franchise Representatives from both EPIC and IMPACT Groups including Mary Scott, Sarah Wilson, Sophia Blanchard, and Danny Lyall along with L’Anse Creuse Middle School – North Staff and Students, including Principal Andrea Glynn, and Detroit Red Wings Representatives including Red Wings Alum Danny DeKeyser were in attendance during the check donation presentation at Little Caesars Arena on January 18, 2026.

Inviting educational institutions and youth organizations to apply for funding to support bullying prevention programs.

Detroit-area Planet Fitness® franchisees, EPIC Fitness Group and Impact Fitness Group, and the Detroit Red Wings are once again teaming up to promote kindness, inclusion, and positive environments for Michigan youth through their fourth annual “Shut Out Bullying” contest. The initiative will award $10,000 to one Michigan school or youth organization to support an existing or new program focused on bullying prevention, kindness,

The contest opens on November 1, 2026, at 8:00 AM EST,

and runs through December 13, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST. Educational institutions and youth organizations throughout Michigan serving students in grades K–12 are encouraged to apply by completing a short entry form and answering questions about their current or proposed bullying prevention initiatives.

The “Shut Out Bullying” contest was created to shine a spotlight on the important work that schools and youth organizations are doing every day to help young people feel safe, supported, and accepted. Through the $10,000 award, the winning organization will have the opportunity to expand an existing initiative or bring a new bullying prevention program to life, helping make a meaningful difference for students and families in its community.

“The ‘Shut Out Bullying’ initiative is about more than a $10,000 award, it’s about recognizing the people who are working every day to make a difference in the lives of young people,” stated Mary Scott, Vice President of Marketing at EPIC Fitness Group, a Planet Fitness franchise division operating more than 70 locations across Michigan, Ohio, and Illinois. “Schools and youth organizations have a tremendous influence on how children learn to treat one another, and we’re proud to partner with the Detroit Red Wings to support those efforts. Together, we can help encourage kindness, respect, and inclusion and remind young people that everyone deserves to feel like they belong.”

“The Red Wings are proud to partner with Planet Fitness and support the schools and youth organizations working to create safer, more inclusive environments,” said Tiffany Harrington, Vice President of Corporate Partnership Activation for the Detroit Red Wings. “Through this contest, we can help recognize those efforts and provide resources to make an even greater impact in communities across Michigan. Everyone deserves to feel safe, supported and accepted.”

Past winners include L’Anse Creuse Middle School-North (2026),

Endeavor Charter Academy (2025), and Fraser Public Schools (2024). Each winning organization demonstrated a commitment to creating positive, inclusive environments, and addressing bullying within its school or youth community.

The 2027 winner will be honored during a special pre-game presentation on Saturday, January 23, 2027 at Little Caesars Arena. Representatives from both EPIC Fitness Group, Impact Fitness Group, and the Detroit Red Wings will take part in the ceremony. Representatives from the winning organization will be invited to stay and enjoy the Red Wing’s game against the Tamp Bay Lightning.

“Planet Fitness has always believe that everyone deserves a place where they feel comfortable being themselves, and that philosophy extends far beyond the four walls of our clubs,” stated Sarah Wilson, Marketing Director for Impact Fitness, a Planet Fitness Franchisee. “The ‘Shut Out Bullying’ contest gives us an opportunity to recognize organizations that are making kindness, acceptance, and inclusion a priority and provide them with resources to take that work even further.”

Planet Fitness has a longstanding commitment to promoting kindness, acceptance, and inclusion in communities across the country.

Its Judgement Free Zone® philosophy is built around creating welcoming environments where people can feel comfortable being themselves without fear of judgement.

This philosophy extends into Planet Fitness’ community-focused philanthropic efforts through the Judgement Free Generation^TM their signature initiative in partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The program is designed to empower young people to reject bullying, embrace individuality and help create kinder, more inclusive communities.

Applications for the 2026 “Shut Out Bullying” contest will be accepted beginning November 1, 2026. For complete contest details and to submit an entry, visit DetroitRedWings.com/ShutOutBullyingContest.

About Planet Fitness

Founded in 1992 in Dover, NH, Planet Fitness is one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the world by number of members and locations. As of June 30, 2026, Planet Fitness had approximately 21.5 million members and 2,930 clubs in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, Panama, Mexico, Australia and Spain. The Company’s mission is to enhance people’s lives by providing a high-quality fitness experience in a welcoming, non-intimidating environment, which we call the Judgement Free Zone®. Approximately 90% of Planet Fitness clubs are owned and operated by independent business owners.