CHICAGO, March 30, 2006 On Saturday, April 8, 2006, an estimated 500,000 children and families will choose to "Put Play in Their Day" as they gather at 1,420 YMCAs nationwide for the 15th Annual YMCA Healthy Kids® Day, a community-based event that celebrates healthy living, encourages families to embrace a more active lifestyle and introduces unique YMCA programs. Family-friendly activities such as kids hip-hop dance classes, "Mommy and Me" stroller workouts, family yoga demonstrations, all-age fitness scavenger hunts, no-bake cooking lessons and fitness/health screenings will anchor the events. National sponsors of this year's YMCA Healthy Kids Day are Disney Channel, Tropicana, Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NYSE:KMB) and Kimberly-Clark's Huggies, Pull-Ups and The Neat Sheet brands.
"YMCA Healthy Kids Day shows kids that being physically active and healthy does not have to be boring," said Mike Spezzano, national health and fitness specialist for YMCA of the USA. "Besides sports, swimming, and strength training, many Ys have cool activities like skateboarding, dancing, and rock-climbing that are not only fun but also increase physical fitness levels."
YMCA Healthy Kids Day is part of YMCA Activate America, an innovative public health initiative of the YMCA movement that is making healthy living a reality for millions of Americans. By celebrating health and wellness of young people through a variety of fun, physical activities, YMCA Healthy Kids Day encourages kids and their families nationwide to stay active, connected and healthy.
"When kids and parents spend quality time doing physical activity together, they're doing more than making memories," added Spezzano. "Kids tend to pattern their behavior after their parents. So if a parent is physically active or enjoys outdoor adventures - it's likely that his or her kids will too - ultimately developing a lifelong commitment to physical activity and respect for their health."
Disney Channel will serve as the event's media sponsor, and will televise public service announcements and provide program materials to support the event. "Disney Channel is dedicated to improving the health and wellness of American kids and families," said Chris Lacroix, Vice President, Marketing, Disney Channel. "YMCA Healthy Kids Day reminds us that physical activity is not only an excellent way to get healthier, but also a fun and exciting opportunity for families to reconnect with each other."
"Tropicana, a division of PepsiCo, believes it is our responsibility to support, improve and give back to the communities where our major facilities are located," said Elina Veksler, Senior Marketing Manager, Tropicana - Nutrition. "Tropicana products are among PepsiCo's Smart Spot
choices, which meet nutrition criteria based on authoritative statements from the Food and Drug Administration and the National Academy of Sciences. We are delighted to support YMCA Healthy Kids Day by providing information and encouragement which will help young people and families focus on health and wellness."
"Kimberly-Clark and the YMCA have enjoyed a long-standing partnership based on a shared commitment to the health and wellness of America's families," said Thomas J. Falk, chairman and CEO of Kimberly-Clark. "Since 2001, Kimberly-Clark has contributed almost $12 million to support YMCA family programming and the YMCA Activate America public health initiative. This year's Healthy Kids Day event is a great opportunity for kids and families across America to spend time together and have fun, while focusing on their health and well-being."
New sponsors of YMCA Healthy Kids Day this year are Kimberly-Clark's Huggies, Pull-Ups and The Neat Sheet brands.
"Healthy, family-fun activities that allow mom and baby to get active together has been the guiding principle behind the Huggies Brand alliance with the YMCA," said Bruce Paynter, President of North Atlantic Baby Care for Huggies. "This year, our sponsorship of YMCA Healthy Kids Day highlights the importance of the special bond between mom and baby as they develop a healthy relationship. The Huggies Brand shares with YMCA a goal to improve health and wellness for all Americans."
Serving more than 10,000 communities and neighborhoods through 2,594 YMCAs, no institution is better positioned to act as a unifying force in America's health and wellness effort than the YMCA. YMCA Healthy Kids Day events will be held at local YMCAs throughout the country. Please visit www.ymca.net to find your local YMCA and to learn the time, location and details for your community event.
About YMCA
YMCAs serve 20.1 million people, including 9.7 million youth, through a broad range of community and health and wellness programs. YMCAs are collectively the nation's largest providers of child care, afterschool and youth sports programs, and are working to incorporate physical activity into all aspects of youth, family and community programming. YMCAs are for people of all faiths, races, ages, incomes and abilities. YMCA Healthy Kids® Day is a part of YMCA Activate AmericaTM, a long-term public health initiative of the YMCA movement that is
focused on making healthy living a reality for millions of Americans. To learn more, visit www.ymca.net.
About Disney Channel
Disney Channel is a 24-hour kid-driven, family inclusive television network that taps into the world of kids and families through original series and movies plus contemporary acquired programming. Currently available on basic cable in over 87 million U.S. homes and to millions of other viewers on 23 Disney Channels around the world, Disney Channel is part of the Disney-ABC Television Group.
About Tropicana
Tropicana Products, Inc., a unit of PepsiCo, Inc., is the leading producer and marketer of branded fruit juices. Tropicana markets its products in the United States under a variety of brand names, including Tropicana Pure Premium not-from-concentrate juices; Dole juices and juice blends; Tropicana Juices and Pure Tropics juices; Tropicana Smoothies; and Tropicana Twister juice beverages. The Dole brand name is licensed from Dole Food Co., Inc. For more information about Tropicana, visit www.tropicana.com. (NYSE: PEP)
About Kimberly-Clark
Kimberly-Clark and its well-known global brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 150 countries. Every day, 1.3 billion peoplenearly a quarter of the world's populationtrust K-C brands and the solutions they provide to enhance their health, hygiene and well-being. With brands such as Kleenex, Scott, Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex and Depend, Kimberly-Clark holds the No. 1 or No. 2 share position in more than 80 countries. To keep up with the latest K-C news and to learn more about the company's 134-year history of innovation, visit www.kimberly-clark.com. (NYSE:KMB)