Roger K. Deromedi, Chief Executive Officer, Kraft Foods to Accept Award at Save the Children's International Gala
WESTPORT, CT (June 1, 2005) – A strong supporter of education, Kraft Foods has been selected to receive the prestigious "Partners for Children" award by Save the Children USA, a U.S.-based global independent humanitarian organization. The "Partners for Children" award is given annually to individuals, organizations or businesses that make a measurable, long-term commitment to the well-being of children served by Save the Children in the United States and around the world.
Roger K. Deromedi, Chief Executive Officer of Kraft Foods, will receive the award at Save the Children's seventh annual International Gala on Monday, June 6, 2005, in New York City. Past recipients of the "Partners for Children" award include Procter & Gamble, Donna Karan International, Denny's, Johnson & Johnson, Mott's, Hearst Corporation, TJ Maxx, Lippincott Mercer and Scholastic, Inc.
In addition to bringing the world many of its favorite brands in cheese, cereals, cookies, crackers and refreshment beverages, Kraft is a leading global marketer of coffee. The company is helping children living in coffee-growing communities in Central America start on a future path to success. Kraft joined with Save the Children in partnering with communities in El Salvador and Guatemala to fund four centers providing child development and education programs. In these countries, children are more likely to repeat or leave school during first grade than at any other grade level, and structured early learning opportunities have been shown to reduce repetition and drop-out rates. Through this community initiative, pre-school children are taking part in a fun but structured learning and play program, which will give them a boost when they start their schooling. The community centers also promote youth development and recreation activities since opportunities for youth are so scarce in both countries, and families struggle to find structured day-time activities for children. The programs were launched with the goal of having the communities take over the management of the centers from Save the Children by 2008.
"Investing in education, particularly during children's earliest years, leads to improvements in the health and prosperity of families, communities and entire nations," said Charles MacCormack, president and CEO of Save the Children. "Children enrolled in early childhood education programs are more likely to go to and to stay in school than children without access to these programs. We are pleased to honor Kraft Foods for their commitment to advancing the long-term future of children and families in these communities through a sustainable model that includes community involvement and buy-in."
Save the Children's International Gala, an annual event to celebrate children, will be held at Pier Sixty in New York City on June 6. Tim Conway as Master of Ceremonies, along with Cokie Roberts and Richard Thomas, will host this year's event. Honorary co-chairs are Alec Baldwin, Maria Bello, David Bowie, Bob Boycett, Ellen DeGeneres, Nora Ephron, Sally Field, Allan S. Gordon, Josh Groban, Iman, Allison Janney, Donna Karan, Sir Ben Kingsley, John Lithgow, Eian McAllister, Ron Meyer, Mike Nichols, Susan Sarandon, Sir Howard Stringer, Susan Sullivan and Cicely Tyson. For event and ticket information, call 203-221-4181.
Kraft Foods (www.kraft.com) markets many of the world's leading food brands, including Kraft cheese, Maxwell House and Jacobs coffees, Philadelphia cream cheese, Oscar Mayer meats, Boca products, Balance bars and Post cereals in more than 150 countries.
Save the Children (www.savethechildren.org) is the leading independent humanitarian organization that works to create real and lasting change for children in need in the United States and around the world. The agency is a member of the International Save the Children Alliance, which is a worldwide network of 27 independent Save the Children organizations working in more than 100 countries to ensure the well-being of children everywhere.
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Contact:
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