Bicycle(R) Playing Cards Aims to Reconnect Families, Celebrates 125th Anniversary

ERLANGER, Ky., May 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Bicycle® Playing Cards, celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2010, today announced the kick-off of a nationwide program to answer the call for reconnecting families by reintroducing card playing. The program marks a yearlong commitment to teaching players – young and young at heart – new and old cards games great for igniting relationships and a little friendly-competition.

According to a recent survey of moms by Impulse Research, quality time spent with family is dwindling amid life's distractions. Quality time for families is at all-time premium. Reconnection may be found with a simple flip of a playing card.

Bicycle® Playing Cards' program begins at 6:00 p.m., today – the 125th day of the year. Legendary game show host and TV icon, Chuck Woolery, will invite families to rediscover the connection playing cards bring and break the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest "Hearts" tournament in history. The event, held at the Hilton Universal Hotel in Universal City, Calif., will benefit The Alliance for Children's Rights in Los Angeles, an organization dedicated to providing free legal services for impoverished and abused children so they have access to safe homes, health care and the education they need to thrive, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hollywood and Burbank, a group striving to improve each child's life by instilling self-esteem, courage, and positive values.

"Who doesn't love a great game, especially one that gets families back together for a little fun," said Chuck Woolery.  "Virtually everyone has memories of playing cards – during family vacations, at the holidays or simply to pass the time. And today, there are just so many distractions to the quality of interaction that can be found in playing cards.  I am honored to be working with Bicycle® Playing Cards to celebrate their important milestone and even more importantly to get families playing together again."

The program will then enlist the support of card-lovers as a custom-designed "double-decker" bus and swarm of Bicycle® Playing Card messengers travel the country this summer inspiring card play everywhere while supporting local charities. The What's Your Game?™ mobile tour will make more than 100 event stops across the nation rekindling favorite card playing experiences and creating new memories.

"We are so happy to be part of this kick-off event," said Janis Spire, President and CEO of The Alliance for Children's Rights.  "Our mission is to protect the rights of impoverished and abused children to give them the chance of a safe, happy childhood and a bright future. Playing cards is a perfect fit for our message – bringing families together."

In addition to inspiring families to play cards, Bicycle® Playing Cards is offering a new online card playing instruction, part of the Bicycle® What's Your Game?™ program.  Special codes found in specially marked packages unlock new card game learning experiences and chances on game-time prizes. For official rules, visit bicyclecards.com. When individuals have mastered these games, there is more fun online at bicyclecardgames.com, a series of interactive game experiences delivering fun for the whole family with vivid digital imagery and exciting game features.

Stacking the Deck

In the recent survey, moms note that distractions are key to the lack of time together – 58 percent say there is just too much TV watching or video game playing, while others say 32 percent of their time is spent shuttling children from event to event.

Nearly 60 percent of moms said they never or hardly ever play cards or board games with their family. Yet approximately 50 percent of respondents said their fondest childhood memories were playing cards with family and friends.

"Families are looking for a way to reconnect.  As we celebrate 125 years of nearly countless card playing memories, we are asking families to rediscover the joys of card playing – quality time and fun," said Phil Dolci, president of Jarden Leisure and Entertainment, a Jarden Corp. business. "Bicycle® Playing Cards is thrilled to team up with Chuck Woolery, these important charities and card lovers everywhere for this worthwhile program."

About United States Playing Card Company

The United States Playing Card Company is the leader in the production and distribution of premier brands of playing cards, including BEE®, BICYCLE®, AVIATOR®, HOYLE®, KEM® and CONGRESS® playing cards. BICYCLE® has been the best selling playing card brand in the world for more than 100 years. Founded in 1867, the company manufactures, markets and distributes playing cards, children's card games, collectible tins, puzzles and card accessories. BEE®, BICYCLE®, AVIATOR® and HOYLE® are registered trademarks of The United States Playing Card Company. For more information, visit http://www.usplayingcard.com. USPC is a division of consumer products giant Jarden Corporation.

About Jarden Corporation

Jarden Corporation is a leading provider of niche consumer products. Jarden operates in three primary business segments through a number of well recognized brands, including: Outdoor Solutions: Abu Garcia®, Berkley®, Campingaz® and Coleman®, Fenwick®, Gulp®, K2®, Marker®, Marmot®, Mitchell®, Penn®, Rawlings®, Shakespeare®, Stearns®, Stren®, Trilene®, Volkl® and Zoot®; Consumer Solutions: Bionaire®, Crock-Pot®, FoodSaver®, Health o meter®, Holmes®, Mr. Coffee®, Oster®, Patton®, Rival®, Seal-a-Meal®, Sunbeam®, VillaWare® and White Mountain®; and Branded Consumables: Ball®, Bee®, Bicycle®, Billy Boy®, Crawford®, Diamond®, Dicon®, First Alert®, Forster®, Hoyle®, Kerr®, Lehigh®, Leslie-Locke®, Loew Cornell®, Mapa®, NUK®, Pine Mountain® and Spontex®. Headquartered in Rye, N.Y., Jarden has over 25,000 employees worldwide. For more information, please visit www.jarden.com.

SOURCE United States Playing Card Company