CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- With the right support, today's girls are destined to be tomorrow's women in the lead. As makers of quality activewear for the whole family and the title sponsor of the Gildan Esprit de She - The Spirit of Her Race Series produced by Life Time - The Healthy Way of Life Company(SM), Gildan believes there are many threads that make up joyful, confident and healthy women and girls. And every one counts. Girls on the Run and Gildan Esprit de She have teamed up to empower more girls to discover the threads that make them strong, enabling them to cross each and every finish line they set their sights on.

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Since the series debuted in 2013, Girls on the Run has been the national charity partner of Gildan Esprit de She. The partnership is built on a belief that a healthy way of life begins with healthy people. This year, Gildan has made a commitment to provide funding equal to at least one new Girls on the Run program site in each Gildan Esprit de She race market. Every dollar counts, and women will have the opportunity to donate directly to their local Girls on the Run council, ultimately benefiting girls in their own communities. With the support of race participants, Gildan can ensure that today's young runners know that every thread, every dream and every girl counts.

"We are grateful for Gildan's commitment to investing in our local communities," says Elizabeth Kunz, CEO of Girls on the Run International. "Through their support, more girls will know and activate their limitless potential and boldly pursue their dreams."

In addition, Gildan will have a physical presence in the signature Lifestyle Market during every Gildan Esprit de She race. At their Inspiration booth, race participants will be asked to share their wisdom and support for Girls on the Run. These contributions will become part of an "Inspiration Wall" that will be donated to the local Girls on the Run council. For women who want to contribute their words of wisdom and encouragement, but are unable to attend the race or visit the booth, Gildan has created a digital version of the Inspiration Wall experience. By hashtagging a photo or video on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook with #EveryThreadCounts and following @GildanOnline, women can add their wisdom and words to the online Inspiration Wall. Properly tagged photos and videos can be viewed at www.EveryThreadCounts.com.

"Gildan Esprit de She was founded on the cornerstone of uniting and empowering women and girls through running and athletic events," says Lindsey Sachs, Gildan Esprit de She Founder and Brand Director. "As such, and since day one, our partnership with Girls on the Run as our National Charity Partner has generated a highly relevant and meaningful platform for both brands to amplify their missions. We're excited to see the partnership evolve further through Gildan's Every Thread Counts campaign that will further encourage and develop girls to activate their limitless potential and pursue their dreams."

About Gildan
Gildan is a leading supplier of quality branded basic family apparel, including T-shirts, fleece, sport shirts, underwear, socks, hosiery and shapewear. The Company sells its products under a diversified portfolio of company-owned brands, including the Gildan®, Gold Toe® and Anvil® brands and brand extensions, as well as the Secret®, Silks® and Therapy Plus(TM) brands. The Company also has the U.S. sock license for Under Armour®, and licenses for Mossy Oak® and New Balance® brands. The Company distributes its products in printwear markets in the U.S. and Canada, as well as in Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America. The Company also markets its products to a broad spectrum of retailers in the U.S. and Canada. The Company also manufactures for select leading global athletic and lifestyle consumer brands.

Gildan owns and operates vertically-integrated, large-scale manufacturing facilities which are primarily located in Central America and the Caribbean Basin to efficiently service the quick replenishment needs of its customers in the printwear and retail markets. Gildan has over 43,000 employees worldwide and is committed to industry-leading labour and environmental practices in all of its facilities. More information about the Company and its corporate citizenship practices and initiatives can be found at its corporate websites www.gildan.com and www.genuinegildan.com, respectively.

About Life Time Fitness, Inc.
As The Healthy Way of Life Company(SM), Life Time Fitness (NYSE:LTM) helps organizations, communities and individuals achieve their total health objectives, athletic aspirations and fitness goals by engaging in their areas of interest -- or discovering new passions -- both inside and outside of Life Time's distinctive and large sports, professional fitness, family recreation and spa destinations, most of which operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Company's healthy way of life approach enables members to achieve this by providing the best programs, people and places of uncompromising quality and value. As of July 28, 2015, the Company operates 115 centers under the LIFE TIME FITNESS(®) and LIFE TIME ATHLETIC(®) brands in the United States and Canada. Additional information about Life Time centers, programs and services is available at www.lifetimefitness.com.

About Girls on the Run
Girls on the Run is a non-profit organization that teaches life skills through dynamic, interactive lessons that creatively integrate running. During the ten-week afterschool program, girls sharpen their independent thinking skills, celebrate their unique strengths and realize their power to make a difference in the world. The program culminates with the girls being physically and emotionally prepared to complete a celebratory 5k run--an experience that unleashes their confidence and establishes a lifetime appreciation of health and fitness. For more information visit www.girlsontherun.org.

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SOURCE Girls on the Run International