CLEVELAND, OH, - Thursday, February 7, 2008 - The LeBron James Family Foundation today announced a nationwide initiative to build innovative and safe playgrounds for various communities across the country. The first playground will be installed at the St. Bernard Recreation Center in New Orleans, which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina and rebuilt in September 2006. The playground will open on Thursday, February 14, 2008, prior to NBA All-Star Weekend.
This initiative represents the latest effort by the Foundation to develop and sponsor programs and activities for children and families in need. State Farm is sponsoring the inaugural playground installation at the St. Bernard Recreation Center.
“I feel good knowing that the kids at St. Bernard will have a new playground with the very best equipment,” said LeBron James, who established the Foundation in 2004. It’s going to be a great place to play, have fun and hang out with friends and family. I am proud to be working with State Farm to help the children of New Orleans.”
"State Farm, as the #1 insurance company in America, is pleased to be teaming up with the #1 player in the NBA to provide a safe and fun place for children and families,” said Pam El, State Farm Marketing vice president. “We share the common goal of positively impacting lives of people in the community through education, health and wellness.”
“These innovative playgrounds will provide families with the opportunity to be together and play together,” said Jakki Nance, executive director of the LeBron James Family Foundation. “Our goal is to build family-focused play spaces that will encourage kids to stay fit and active while encouraging creative play. This new Foundation initiative will also help to strengthen the family unit and develop stronger ties between family members.”
The playground at St. Bernard will feature the latest in play-system equipment and design from Landscape Structures, Inc., providing kids with a multi-dimensional experience that will keep them challenged so that they will play longer and more energetically. No Fault, the industry leader for playground and athletic surface products, is partnering with the Foundation to install a specially designed safety surface that will replicate a basketball court.
About State Farm
State Farm® insures more cars and homes than any other insurer in the U.S., the leading insurer of watercraft and is also a leading insurer in Canada. State Farm's 17,000 agents and 68,000 employees serve over 76 million auto, fire, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and more than 1.7 million bank accounts. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 31 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit statefarm.com® or in Canada statefarm.ca®.
About The LeBron James Family Foundation
Founded in 2004, the LeBron James Family Foundation empowers children and single-parent households through innovative programming and initiatives, building hope for those who are dealing with adversity through education, recreation, employment and better health. The Foundation sponsors a wide range of events and activities that strengthens the bonds between family members and provides families with the opportunity to make their own choices. In addition, the Foundation plans and develops the “King for Kids Bikeathon” and other events that demonstrate its commitment to the community and create special memories for families in need. For more information on the LeBron James Family Foundation, call 216-325-0792 or go online to LeBron.msn.com.