National Contest Spotlights Benefits of Playing Outside and Getting Dirty
20 März 2006 - 11:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
Baseball legend Cal Ripken, Jr., soccer gold medalist Abby Wambach
and Wisk Laundry Detergent support community youth sports programs
NEW YORK, March 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Kids today are not playing
outdoors, getting dirty and enjoying youth sports nearly as much as
they did in the past. Baseball legend Cal Ripken, Jr. and soccer
gold medalist Abby Wambach are joining forces with Wisk Laundry
Detergent to make a difference. Their goal is to encourage kids to
go outside, enjoy team sports, and not to be afraid to get dirty!
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060320/NYM005 ) The
star athletes are supporting the 2006 Wisk Laundry Detergent "Win A
Dream Field Makeover" contest. The community or team that collects
the most points will receive the top prize, a $25,000 athletic
field refurbishment, plus a hometown visit from Ripken and Wambach.
Five runners-up will each receive a $10,000 field makeover and
every team has a chance to win hundreds of dollars worth of sports
equipment. Athletes advise kids to spend more time outside and get
dirty "The poor quality of many public parks and play areas in this
country today is one of the hurdles we face in trying to get our
kids to be more active," said Ripken, a 21-season veteran of the
Baltimore Orioles. "I'd rather see kids of any athletic ability out
on a sports field hitting the dirt than just hitting the couch at
home. As a parent and a player, I realize that a high quality field
can be a great source of pride for a community and can motivate
kids to participate in sports." Wambach, one of the leading scorers
on the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team, learned at an early age
that playing sports helps kids develop an appreciation of the
benefits, both mental and physical, of an active lifestyle. She
noted, "It's hard to believe, but there are even times when my team
plays on sub-par fields. As I travel the country, I am often
surprised to see how many town and school fields are in disrepair.
The condition of the field affects the way we play and our
enthusiasm and enjoyment of the experience, as I'm sure it does for
kids." Ripken and Wambach are working with Wisk to offer ideas for
fun, simple ways to encourage kids to get outside and be more
active. The goal is to narrow the gap between all the children who
should be outside enjoying the benefits of team sports and those
who actually do. Parents can visit http://www.wisk.com/ for tips to
inspire and motivate their kids. A 2005 Wisk survey conducted by
Harris Interactive Inc. found that 35 percent of parents say their
children do not participate in organized sports, even though 96
percent said they see youth sports as beneficial activities. The
same group overwhelmingly (87 percent) agreed that they are happy
when their children get dirty while playing because it demonstrates
they are enjoying a full and active life. Field makeover program
now in its third year Since it was launched in 2004, the Wisk "Win
a Dream Field Makeover" contest has been hugely successful in
rallying communities to get involved. Initially, the contest was
developed to help improve baseball fields, but due to the
overwhelming response in 2005, when 965 teams in 49 states
registered, it was decided to extend the opportunity to all outdoor
boys' and girls' sports teams. In an impressive display of
community spirit, Fort Benning in Georgia won the top prize in 2004
and again in 2005. In an equally impressive demonstration of
generosity, the base decided to donate its most recent prize to
sister base Fort Stewart & Hunter Army Airfield, also in
Georgia, where 26,000 troops recently returned after completing
tours of duty in Iraq. "Every time we refurbish a field, hundreds
of excited children get to enjoy team sports in a wonderful outdoor
setting," said Helayna Minsk, Marketing Director, Wisk Laundry
Detergent. "Fort Benning is a great example of how a community can
rally together to support efforts to encourage a healthy, active
lifestyle for children everywhere. We encourage other communities
to do the same." In recognition of Cal Ripken's contribution to
youth sports, and to further underscore its commitment to youth
sports, Wisk Laundry Detergent has made a donation to Ripken
Baseball and the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation. Sports teams, friends,
family and fans can enter the Wisk "Win A Dream Field Makeover"
contest by buying specially marked bottles of Wisk Laundry
Detergent and registering points online at
http://www.wiskpoints.com/ between March 1 and June 30, 2006. The
site also offers suggestions for how communities and teams can
improve their chances of winning. About Wisk The Wisk family of
liquid detergents (Wisk with Stain Dissolving Power, Wisk Dazzling
Whites and Colors, Wisk High Efficiency (HE), Wisk Free Clear and
Wisk Morning Breeze with a Splash of Softness) have stain
dissolving power and are formulated to tackle the tough grass
stains that come with outside activity. About Ripken Baseball
Ripken Baseball was established in 2001 by former major leaguers
Cal and Bill Ripken. Its goal is to grow the game of baseball
worldwide. Ripken Baseball's focus includes youth baseball, the
Aberdeen Project, Ripken Management & Design, Youth Camps and
Clinics, the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation and the Aberdeen IronBirds.
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http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060320/NYM005
http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Wisk Laundry Detergent
CONTACT: Tori Rappold, +1-212-614-4201, , or Stacie Bright,
+1-203-625-1130, , both for Wisk Laundry Detergent Web site:
http://www.wisk.com/ http://www.wiskpoints.com/
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