2008 Olympic Games

Gymnasts Team Up with LISTERINE(R) Antiseptic to Drive Support for Right To Play’s Red Ball Child Play Program

Olympic Medalists Paul and Morgan Hamm are teaming up with the makers of LISTERINE(R)* to help Americans bring the benefits of healthy sports and play to underprivileged children across the world. Recognizing the importance of healthy routines and physical activity, LISTERINE(R)* and the Hamm brothers are supporting the Right To Play Red Ball Child Play program, a charity created to assist children affected by war, poverty and disease by teaching healthy behavior and important life values such as fair play and teamwork. These values have played a big role in helping the Hamm brothers’ achieve their Olympic dream and they aspire to help provide children-in-need access to the same essential lessons that carried them to medals in the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

Starting today and throughout the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, the makers of LISTERINE(R)*, through their affiliation with a Worldwide Partner of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, will donate one dollar for every person (up to 100,000) who visits www.listerine.com and clicks on Right To Play’s red ball. Reaching this goal will help Right To Play improve the lives of 500,000 children in 23 countries by engaging kids in activities that teach healthy living through the Red Ball Child Play initiative.

“Growing up, Morgan and I had amazing opportunities through sports to discover the positive impact of making healthy choices and being a part of a team, however, not all kids are so lucky,” says Paul Hamm, 2004 Olympic gold medalist. “A powerful way to assist children is by teaching life skills found in sports and play. We’re committed to supporting the Red Ball Child Play influence and ask Americans to do the same,” added Morgan Hamm, 2004 Olympic silver medalist.

Founded in 1992 as “Olympic Aid,” Right To Play uses specially-designed play and sports programs to improve health, build life skills and foster peace for children and communities. The organization has turned a simple concept into a powerful platform that has enriched the lives of millions of children annually.

“Children in disadvantaged areas need extra help to ensure they have healthy childhoods,” says Ahna Machan, National Director, Right To Play. “Our partnership with the makers of LISTERINE(R)* will allow more communities to participate in Red Ball Child Play programs and will make a big difference in kids’ overall health.”

Right To Play and the makers of LISTERINE(R)* share the common goal of promoting well being globally. They hope to raise awareness of Red Ball Child Play with the Hamm brothers, honorary Right To Play ambassadors.

To learn more about the Hamm brothers and their call-to-action for Right To Play, log on to Listerine.com.

  * The LISTERINE(R) brand is affiliated with a Worldwide Partner of the
International Olympic Committee, the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and the
Proud Partner of the U.S. Olympic Team.

Source: Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc.

Web site: http://www.listerine.com/
http://www.righttoplayusa.org/