Laura Bush Accepts Honorary Chairmanship for National Kidsday

Boys & Girls Club of America
Tuesday, 28 May 2002

Leading Youth Services Organizations Establish Sunday, August 4, as 2nd Annual National KidsDay

Boys & Girls Clubs of America today announced that Laura Bush has accepted the role of Honorary Chairperson for National KidsDay, which was launched in 2001 as a day to foster relationships between adults and children by educating them about the importance of spending meaningful time together.

Mrs. Bush is widely known as an advocate for education, reading and early childhood development. As Honorary Chairperson for National KidsDay, Mrs. Bush will continue to promote these issues while communicating the benefits of spending meaningful time with children.

"I applaud Boys & Girls Clubs of America and KidsPeace for establishing a day that honors and strengthens the relationship between adults and children," Mrs. Bush said. "This is a day to reinforce that children matter - that their ideas and dreams are important and worthwhile. I'm delighted to serve as honorary chair for National KidsDay. I hope it becomes one of the greatest days of the summer for the children of America."

Boys & Girls Clubs of America and KidsPeace®, with the support of other leading youth services organizations, have established the first Sunday in August as National KidsDay. This year's celebration is August 4th. Corporate supporters of National KidsDay include Blockbuster Inc., The Home Depot and Wal-Mart.

"We are honored to have Mrs. Bush serve as Honorary Chairperson of National KidsDay," said Roxanne Spillett, president of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "Her background as an educator, and her well-known concern and tireless advocacy on behalf of our nation's young people, make Mrs. Bush the perfect person for this important and highly visible role."

About National KidsDay

National KidsDay occurs annually on the first Sunday in August. Inaugural National KidsDay programs on Aug. 5, 2001, included more than 250,000 kids and parents spending meaningful time together at more than 500 community events across the United States. Visit www.kidsday.net for more information about National KidsDay and for information about national and local events.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America comprises a national network of more than 3,000 neighborhood-based facilities annually serving some 3.5 million young people, primarily from disadvantaged circumstances. Known as "The Positive Place for Kids," the Clubs provide guidance-oriented character development programs on a daily basis for children 6-18 years old, conducted by a full-time professional staff. Key Boys & Girls Club programs emphasize character and leadership development, education and career enhancement, health and life skills, the arts, and sports, fitness and recreation.

KidsPeace is the oldest, most comprehensive organization in America dedicated to helping give kids the confidence, skills and resources to overcome crisis. Founded in Bethlehem, Pa., this 120-year-old not-for-profit organization directly helps thousands of children overcome crisis every day at 50 centers across the country. KidsPeace helps millions more each year through educational outreach and awareness programs designed to help America's kids and parents anticipate, intervene in and master crises that can affect any child - from disasters and personal traumas to family issues and neglect to life-threatening depression, eating disorders, and the many stresses of modern life.

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