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Kings Tip-Off 'Kid Power' Program

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Sacramento, Calif. – Today, the City of Sacramento and the U.S. Fund for UNICEF teamed up with the Sacramento Kings to announce the launch of a new pilot program, UNICEF Kid Power. The month-long initiative will leverage the power of technology and philanthropy to educate and promote student fitness in the Sacramento region, while helping UNICEF deliver therapeutic food to severely malnourished children around the world.

UNICEF Kid Power will engage six local schools and 850 Sacramento-area students and their teachers to test, measure and analyze this innovative approach to physical activity and education on global issues.

Through Kid Power, students will earn Kid Power Points by engaging in physical activities such as walking, running, and playing outdoor games. Their activity will be monitored by a Kid Power wristband that displays the number of steps taken, amount of time active and number of points earned towards a goal of five points per day. Program sponsors such as the George Harrison Fund for UNICEF will convert students’ points into monetary donations to help UNICEF procure and deliver therapeutic food to malnourished kids worldwide. Each Kid Power Point earned will convert to one packet of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food, a miracle peanut paste that is used to save the lives of children with severe acute malnutrition, a deadly condition if left untreated.

“Making sure our children are active and healthy is vital to their success in school and beyond,” said Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson. “As the program���s pilot city, Sacramento is proud to have the opportunity to work with the Kings and UNICEF to actively engage our schools and our students in this innovative program combining personal fitness goals and giving back to those in need. We hope this program will set a precedent for schools across the country to follow.”

“This program is an amazing way to not only encourage active and healthy lifestyles, but more importantly, to engage our teachers and students in fighting the global malnutrition crisis,” said Kings President Chris Granger. “With its positive impact on both our local community and on children across the globe, this initiative really speaks to what Vivek’s NBA 3.0 philosophy is all about.”

“One in four kids worldwide is malnourished, which means they are more likely to get sick from ordinary infections and their brain development can suffer. If left untreated, the condition can be deadly,” said U.S. Fund for UNICEF CEO and President Caryl M. Stern. “The U.S. Fund for UNICEF is proud to work with Mayor Johnson, the Sacramento Kings and the George Harrison Fund for UNICEF to empower kids in Sacramento to save the lives of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition worldwide.“

The 30-day Kid Power pilot program will kick off October 6, with the Sacramento Kings providing rewards to encourage kids to stay active, including:

For a full list of incentives, please visit www.unicefkidpower.org

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Sacramento Kings, Mayor Kevin Johnson and the U.S. Fund for UNICEF Launch ‘Kid Power’ Pilot Program

Kings Rocket Department

SACRAMENTO, CA –Today, the Sacramento Kings have announced a new fundraising and awareness initiative with the U.S. Fund for UNICEF in an effort to assist the organization’s mission to help children survive and thrive around the world. Former Kings great and global humanitarian, Vlade Divac, will serve as a spokesperson for the initiative.

President and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, Caryl Stern, will be on hand at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento for today’s game between the Kings and the Chicago Bulls and will discuss the partnership that will help raise awareness and funds to provide children with clean water and adequate sanitation. Approximately 1,600 children die each day from diseases that are a result of unsafe drinking water, lack of sanitation and poor hygiene. Currently, UNICEF works in more than 100 countries around the world to improve access to safe water and sanitation facilities in schools and communities and to promote safe hygiene practices.

“We are excited to be teaming up with the Sacramento Kings to help provide children with safe, clean drinking water,” said Stern. “While great progress has been made, nearly 768 million people are still without access to clean water and 2.5 billion lack improved sanitation facilities. The Kings have a unique ability to make a powerful call to action amongst their fans that can truly make a difference for children.”

Divac, who played for the Kings from 1998 – 2004 and has his number retired with the club, was consistently recognized by his peers throughout his career for his dedication to humanitarian efforts.

“As athletes and pro sports franchises, we have the responsibility to use our platform to affect positive change in the community,” said Divac. “I take it seriously. Vivek takes it seriously. The whole Kings organization lives that. I look forward to working with the Kings and the U.S. Fund for UNICEF on this clean water initiative to get help where it is sorely needed.”

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to save and improve children’s lives, providing health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF’s work through fundraising, advocacy, and education in the United States. In their own market, and consistent with the Kings 3.0 philosophy, the Kings work with organizations in the fields of education, health care and volunteerism, among many other causes.

“UNICEF sets the gold standard in international philanthropy and corporate citizenship", said Chris Granger, President and COO of the Kings. "This initiative typifies our Kings 3.0 narrative. As a professional sports franchise, it is our obligation to utilize what we have to affect positive change in communities. We look forward to working with the U.S. Fund for UNICEF and other globally minded organizations."

Caryl Stern

Kings Tip-Off 'Kid Power' Program

Sacramento Kings, Mayor Kevin Johnson and the U.S. Fund for UNICEF Launch ‘Kid Power’ Pilot Program

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