Boston Market® Frozen Meals and Larry Bird Link up to Raise Funds for Boys & Girls Clubs of America

Boys & Girls Club of America
Wednesday, 6 February 2002

Online Auction for Chance to Win Golf Getaway with Legendary Hoop Star. Online Donations a Stroke of Good Fortune for Boys & Girls Clubs.

Boston Market® Frozen Meals is giving sports fans a chance to link up with a legend - Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Larry Bird - to support Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The renowned hoop star also is an avid golfer who wants to make eagles and birdies count for boys and girls in need of a safe place to learn, grow and have fun.

Boston Market Frozen Meals is making that possible by sponsoring Link up with a Legend, an online auction that will award, to the highest bidder, a round of 18 holes with Larry Bird and three guests at Bird's home golf course in Naples, Fla. The winner and guests also will receive airfare from anywhere within the continental United States and deluxe hotel accommodations for two nights. Bids will be accepted from February 6 - 16, 2002, at www.heinz.com/bostonmarket.

From February 1 - March 29, 2002, consumers also can visit www.heinz.com/bostonmarket to make online donations to Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Donors will become eligible to win tickets to the 2002 PGA Championship at the Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn. The prize package for the winner and a guest includes airfare within the continental United States and accommodations for three nights. The winner will be selected in a random drawing in April 2002.

Proceeds from the online auction and donations - plus $10,000 in matching donations from Boston Market Frozen Meals - will be given to Boys & Girls Clubs of America to help fund programs that serve more than 3.3 million children in the U.S., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and at domestic and international U.S. military bases.

"Linking up with Boys & Girls Clubs of America is a great way to help an organization that builds a brighter future for children," said Bird. "I am honored that Boston Market Frozen Meals is making it possible for donors to score a hole-in-one for kids who need our support."

"Heinz and Boston Market Frozen Meals are proud to join Larry Bird's longstanding tradition of supporting Boys & Girls Clubs of America," said Neil Harrison, president and chief executive officer of the Heinz Frozen Food Company. "We share his belief that children need a safe environment to learn and grow."

"On behalf of our children, I want to thank Larry Bird and Boston Market Frozen Meals for linking up to support our mission," said Roxanne Spillett, president of Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

When You Hear Larry … Go for Birdie!

Separately, Boston Market Frozen Meals today announced a promotion that will appeal to anyone who enjoys golf and quick and delicious homestyle meals.

Beginning in February 2002, more than 500 consumers will become prize winners when they purchase and open a package of Boston Market Frozen Meals. The winners will hear Larry Bird's voice announcing their prize when they open a game card enclosed in the package.

An interactive voice chip seeded into the package makes it all possible. Winners will hear Bird say, "Wanna play golf? Hi, it's Larry Bird! Congratulations … " and then the winners will hear a description of the prize. The prizes include the following:

- Two grand prize winners will be awarded a trip for two to a golf outing in Naples, Fla. Bird will host 18 holes of golf, a luncheon, and a question and answer and autograph session. The two grand prize winners, along with 22 other winners and their guests selected through Web site and radio promotions, will attend the golf outing.

- Fifty first prize winners will be awarded a box of 12 STRATA® golf balls. One ball in each box will be autographed by Larry Bird.

- Five hundred second prize winners will be awarded a Universal Golf Ticket™ redeemable for free golf at participating golf courses around the country.

About Boston Market Frozen Meals

Boston Market Frozen Meals is the fastest-growing new brand in the frozen meals category, with more than 20 varieties. The brand reached $130 million in the first year of national retail sales. Boston Market Frozen Meals are available on shelves in the freezer section of grocery stores. In addition to Boston Market Frozen Meals, Heinz Frozen Food Company makes and markets Smart Ones®, Hot Bites®, Bagel Bites®, Ore-Ida®, Delimex®, Rosetto®, Linda McCartney® Frozen Meals, Poppers® and T.G.I. Friday's® frozen appetizers. Heinz Frozen Food Company is an affiliate of the H.J. Heinz Company (NYSE:HNZ), a global food company with annual sales approaching $10 billion.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America

Through 2,851 Club locations, Boys & Girls Clubs of America is a nonprofit organization that provides a truly positive place for kids. Club programs and services promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence. Its nationally recognized programs include: Sports, Fitness and Recreation; the Arts; Education & Career; Health & Life Skills; Character & Leadership; and Specialized Programs.

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