Boys & Girls Clubs of America Honors Outstanding Business Leaders at Annual President's Dinner

Boys & Girls Club of America
Wednesday, 14 June 2000

Time Warner's Ted Turner & Kraft's Ann M. Fudge Lauded for Support of America's Youth

New York (June 14, 2000) - Boys & Girls Clubs of America (B&GCA) salutes Ted Turner, vice chairman, Time Warner, Inc. and Ann M. Fudge, executive vice president, Kraft Foods, Inc., for their years of service on behalf of America's young people. The committed business leaders will be honored at B&GCA's annual President's Dinner, emceed by CNN's Larry King.

Turner will receive the Herbert Hoover Humanitarian Award, the highest honor B&GCA bestows on an individual. Named in memory of the 31st President of the United States who was chairman of B&GCA for 28 years, the award is presented for outstanding leadership and support for educational and youth development programs, especially for girls and boys from disadvantaged circumstances.

Turner has been a strong supporter of B&GCA for a number of years through his various corporate affiliations. In 1998, Turner's Goodwill Games and TBS Superstation contributed more than one million dollars to B&GCA and produced a public service announcement campaign encouraging viewers to support the organization.

Through the Turner Sports organization and the Atlanta Btaves, Hawks and Thrashers, Turner has sponsored many events benefiting children. As president of the Turner Foundation, he has provided support to many worthwhile organizations, as well as donating one billion dollars to benefit the United Nations.

Past recipients of the Herbert Hoover Humanitarian Award include five U.S. Presidents, business leaders such as the late chairman/CEO of Coca-Cola, Robert Goizueta, and General Colin Powell.

Ann M. Fudge, executive vice president of Kraft Foods, Inc., and president of Maxell House Coffee and Post Cereals, will receive the President's Award, which recognizes outstanding dedication and service on the part of B&GCA's Board of Governors.

Fudge's relationship with B&GCA began in 1997 when she joined the organization's Board. She has continued her support by serving as a member of B&GCA's marketing committee. Fudge was instrumental in last year's Post Cereals campaign, "Passport to a Positive Place," that resulted in free Boys & Girls Club memberships for 15,000 urban youth in six cities - a stepping stone for a new 3 year/$3 million strategic alliance between Post Cereals and B&GCA.

"Ted and Ann continually raise the bar on what corporations can and should do to help young people, particularly those most in need of help," said Roxanne Spillett, president of B&GCA. "Whether the issue is increasing opportunities for children to prosper or providing them with a 'safe haven,' Time Warner and Kraft Foods are providing awareness and resources that are leading to solutions. It is with a deep sense of pride that we in the Boys & Girls Club family honor them."

Larry King, host of Larry King Live on CNN, will emcee the dinner. B&GCA's National Youth of the Year, Martin Banda, will share his story of triumph over adversity. Raised in a tough public housing community, the 18-year-old chose his Boys & Girls Club over gangs and drugs. The 12-year member is a recent honors graduate who finds time to conduct missionary work in Mexico, feeding the hungry and building houses for the homeless. He will attend Baylor University this fall with a scholarship provided by Oprah Winfrey and study psychology.

The chairman of this year's dinner is Joel Smilow, retired chairman, Playtex Apparel.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.org) comprises a national network of 2,600 neighborhood-based facilities, annually serving more than 3.3 million young people, primarily from disadvantaged circumstances.

For more information, or to contact Boys & Girls Club of America, see their website at: www.bgca.org