The Hershey Company and Carl Lewis Say “Happy 35th Birthday” to the Hershey®’s Track & Field Games
Program has encouraged youth activity in communities across North America since 1977
(3BL Media) Hershey, PA - March 6, 2012 - Today, The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) sings “Happy Birthday” to celebrate the 35th year of the Hershey®’s Track & Field Games, the largest youth activity program of its kind in North America. To commemorate the occasion, Hershey is inviting families to birthday parties throughout 2012 that will help them have fun and get active.
Hershey’s Track & Field Games encourages kids ages 9-14 to live balanced, active lifestyles by participating in community track and field games held across the country. This innovative program has been around for more than three decades and continues to encourage children and families to participate in fun physical activities to increase their overall well-being.
“The Hershey Company is proud to be promoting physical activity for children and we are happy to share the Hershey’s Track & Field Games’ 35th birthday celebration with children and families across North America this year,” said Michele Buck, Senior Vice President and Chief Growth Officer, The Hershey Company. “To date, more than 10 million children have participated in the Games, and this year we hope to encourage even more young people to run, jump and throw with our birthday-themed activities and events.”
This year, Hershey’s Track & Field Games wants to give a 35th birthday gift to all of its fans. Families can visit www.HersheysTrackandField.com to download a free RUN, JUMP, THROW Birthday Party Kit, to celebrate the fun of the Hershey’s Track & Field Games events in every household. The kits can turn any child’s birthday party or playtime into an active adventure. They include instructions on how to play fun, activity-based games like Capture the Birthday Hat, Jump Rope Boogie and Balloon Blast, encouraging the whole family to run, jump and throw together.
Hershey’s Track & Field Games ambassador and Olympic legend Carl Lewis will join in the birthday festivities in 2012. Lewis is one of two athletes ever to earn nine Olympic gold medals.
“I’m very excited to celebrate Hershey’s Track & Field Games’ 35th birthday,” said Lewis. “Hershey is one of first companies to create a program that encourages youth and family activity, and I’ve been honored to be a part of it for so long. It’s inspiring to meet kids from across the country and see the effect the program has on their lives.”
In 2011, thousands of kids in communities across North America participated in the Hershey’s Track & Field Games. The top boys and girls who advance through local, district (where applicable) and state/provincial/territorial Hershey’s Track & Field Games events will be eligible to qualify for their regional team and receive an all-expense-paid trip to compete in this summer's 2012 North American Final Meet in Hershey, Pa., courtesy of The Hershey Company.
For more information on the Hershey’s Track & Field Games, including how to register, find local events and download the free RUN, JUMP, THROW Birthday Party Kits, visit www.HersheysTrackandField.com.
About Hershey’s Track & Field Games
Founded in 1977 by Dr. Donald P. Cohen in Charleston, W.Va., Hershey’s Track & Field Games has grown from a local playground event in a single community to an international program encouraging children and family activity to help them lead healthier, balanced lives. More than 10 million children from the United States and Canada have participated in the Hershey’s Track & Field Games to date. Children interested in participating in Hershey’s Track & Field Games or adults interested in hosting a qualifying meet in their town can visit www.HersheysTrackandField.com. The Hershey Company provides North American funding for Hershey’s Track & Field Games. Additional partners are the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE), Athletics Canada and Key Club. Hershey’s Track & Field Games is the largest youth sports program of its kind with thousands of children participating in the program yearly, representing over 4,000 communities.
About The Hershey Company
The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is the largest producer of quality chocolate in North America and a global leader in chocolate and sugar confectionery. Headquartered in Hershey, Pa., The Hershey Company has operations throughout the world and approximately 12,000 employees. With revenues of nearly $6 billion, Hershey offers confectionery products under more than 25 brand names, including such iconic brands as Hershey's, Reese's, Hershey's Kisses, Hershey's Bliss, Hershey's Special Dark, Kit Kat, Twizzlers, Jolly Rancher and Ice Breakers. Hershey also offers premium and artisan chocolate products under such brands as Scharffen Berger and Dagoba through the Artisan Confections Company, a wholly owned subsidiary. The company is focused on growing its presence in key international markets such as China and Mexico while continuing to build its competitive advantage in the United States and Canada.
For more than 100 years, The Hershey Company has been a leader in making a positive difference in the communities where its employees live, work and do business. Corporate Social Responsibility is an integral part of the company’s global business strategy, which includes goals and priorities focused on fair and ethical business dealings, environmental stewardship, fostering a desirable workplace for employees, and positively impacting society and local communities. Milton Hershey School, established in 1909 by the company's founder and administered by Hershey Trust Company, provides a quality education, housing, and medical care at no cost to children in social and financial need. Students of Milton Hershey School are direct beneficiaries of The Hershey Company's success.
