PORTLAND, Maine, March 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Last week Sun Life U.S. and the Maine Celtics celebrated the annual Fit to Win program, which engages kids in fitness and healthy habit activities. Fit to Win concluded last week with a nutrition-themed event, which saw Maine Celtics players Pedro Bradshaw and Hank Morgan join the kids for a culinary competition making healthy appetizers, lunches and desserts. Conducted in partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine, the Fit to Win program has kids track their health activities, which range from workouts to nutritious meals, to drinking enough water and getting enough sleep.

This year's program started in February with the Fit to Win "Day in the Life of a Player" event, allowing the kids to experience what a day is like for a Maine Celtics basketball player. The kids, ages 12-14, entered through the players entrance at the Portland Expo, and sat in the locker room putting on their jerseys and brand-new sneakers – a gift from Sun Life and the Maine Celtics. After hearing from an assistant coach on themes like discipline, commitment, and respect, the kids showed their energy and enthusiasm doing basketball drills on the court.

"Since the start of this program, we have seen many children embrace new experiences in healthy living," said David Healy, president, Sun Life U.S. "We are fortunate to have a great partnership with the Maine Celtics, an extension of our partnership with the Boston Celtics, that allows us to make an impact in the Greater Portland community. Learning healthy habits at an early age is the first step to using healthy habits throughout your life. Helping people live healthier lives is our ultimate goal."

Sun Life U.S. has a long-standing partnership with the Boston Celtics, which expanded to work with the Maine Celtics three years ago. In addition to Fit to Win in both Boston and Portland, Sun Life and the Boston Celtics conduct the annual #SunLifeDunk4Diabetes fundraiser each November to raise money for the YMCA of Greater Boston's Healthy Habits program.

"We're grateful for the collaboration with Sun Life and their commitment to communities in Maine," said Dajuan Eubanks, president, Maine Celtics. "Bringing kids together with Celtics players in a setting that promotes healthy, active lifestyles is a meaningful way to reinforce habits that can last a lifetime."

For 12 years, Fit to Win has built a legacy in Boston and Portland of connecting kids with the knowledge and resources they need to lead healthier lives, and even bring that knowledge home to their families. Since the program began, more than 2,600 kids have participated.

Sun Life and the Celtics conduct the Fit to Win program in Boston with the YMCA of Greater Boston, and in Portland with Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Maine, bringing the program to a broader range of youth communities.

For more information about Fit to Win, visit https://www.nba.com/celtics/community/fit-to-win. For more information about Sun Life's community programs and philanthropic initiatives, visit https://www.sunlife.com/us/en/about/our-community-involvement/.

About Sun Life

Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing asset management, wealth, insurance and health solutions to individual and institutional Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the U.S., the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of December 31, 2025, Sun Life had total assets under management of C$1.60 trillion. For more information, please visit www.sunlife.com.

Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.

Sun Life U.S. is one of the largest providers of employee and government benefits, helping approximately 48 million Americans access the care and coverage they need. Through employers, industry partners and government programs, Sun Life U.S. offers a portfolio of benefits and services, including dental, vision, disability, absence management, life, supplemental health, medical stop-loss insurance, and healthcare navigation. Sun Life employs more than 8,300 people in the U.S., including associates in our partner dental practices and affiliated companies in asset management. Group insurance policies are issued by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (Wellesley Hills, Mass.), except in New York, where policies are issued by Sun Life and Health Insurance Company (U.S.) (Lansing, Mich.). For more information visit our website and newsroom.

Media contact

Devon Fernald

Sun Life U.S.

Devon.Portney.Fernald@sunlife.com

781-800-3609

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SOURCE Sun Life U.S.

Maine Celtics, Sun Life celebrate annual Fit to Win youth program with appearances by players Pedro Bradshaw and Hank Morgan