Boys & Girls Clubs of America Celebrates Childhood with Day for Kids Events Nationwide

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ATLANTA, Sept. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) kicked off its Day for Kids initiative with a mega field day event in Atlanta where hundreds of adults were invited to relive their childhoods for the day and participate in nostalgic games to raise awareness and funds in support of youth most in need. During the fun-filled event at Piedmont Park held on Saturday, September 7, teams of adults competed in relay races and games, including dodgeball and tug-of-war, alongside Olympic Champions Gail Devers and Jackie Joyner-Kersee, a Club alumna, and Grammy award-winning R&B star Ne-Yo, also a Club alum and ambassador.

The action-packed day, hosted by Atlanta radio personality and comedian Arlen "Griff" Griffin, featured music and a festival in Atlanta's iconic park.  Activities and races were facilitated by youth coaches from Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta. Touted as the "ultimate day of nostalgia" to remind adults of the importance of childhood, the Atlanta event was a preview of what's to come during Day for Kids events at Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide, all taking place in September. Generously supported by BGCA partner Lunchables Lunch Combinations, Day for Kids serves to elevate the critical issues facing America's youth and invites the community to get involved through local events at Clubs around the country. These issues include:

• Every day, more than 15 million children are alone after school without adult supervision
• More than 16 million children live in poverty
• One in four high school students fails to graduate each year
• One-third of American youth are overweight or obese
• 4,000 juveniles are arrested every day

"Kids today are facing critical issues that can put them on the wrong path. But one day can change this trajectory. For many at-risk youth, that's the day they enter a Boys & Girls Club, where they have access to programs and support to help them do well in school, be healthy and acquire strong character skills to develop into productive adults," says Jim Clark, president and CEO of BGCA. "There's never been a more important time to rally around our kids. We believe that every young person deserves the opportunity for a great childhood and a great future. During Day for Kids, we're inviting the community to join us on this one day to remember their childhood and advocate for all kids, because one day can change a child's future."

"Boys & Girls Clubs have been changing lives and supporting happy, healthy childhoods for more than 150 years," said Joe Fragnito, vice president of marketing, Lunchables Lunch Combinations. "Lunchables is proud to support Day for Kids and help create a memorable day for adults to have fun while supporting youth and the life-changing work taking place at Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide."

Following the Atlanta event, Boys & Girls Clubs around the country will host local Day for Kids events on September 21. Additionally, Day for Kids regional events will take place throughout the month - Los Angeles (September 14), New York City (September 21) and Dallas (September 28). To find an event or learn more, visit www.dayforkids.org.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America:
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,000 Clubs serve nearly 4 million young people annually through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native American lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at http://www.bgca.org/facebook and http://bgca.org/twitter.

Video with caption: "Olympians Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Gail Devers share the importance of Boys & Girls Clubs' Day for Kids, and how one day can change a child's future." Video available at: http://youtu.be/wn1m6OLnEEo

Image with caption: "Grammy Award-winning artist Ne-Yo, Olympic gold medalists Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Gail Devers, actress Heather Roop and radio host Griff join Boys & Girls Clubs of America President and CEO Jim Clark, Lunchables' Michael Campi and Club kids during a field day event in Atlanta on Saturday, September 7. The event kicked off Boys & Girls Clubs of America's "Day for Kids" which invites adults to relive their childhood to help change the lives of kids in need. The nationwide initiative, supported by Lunchables, features hundreds of events at local Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide in September." Image available at:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130910/MM76664-a

Image with caption: "Teams participate in tug-of-war during a field day event in Atlanta on Saturday, September 7, to kick-off Boys & Girls Clubs of America's "Day for Kids" which invites adults to relive their childhood to help change the lives of kids in need. The nationwide initiative, supported by Lunchables, features hundreds of events at local Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide in September." Image available at: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130910/MM76664-b

Image with caption: "Teams participate in dodgeball during a field day event in Atlanta on Saturday, September 7, to kick-off Boys & Girls Clubs of America's "Day for Kids" which invites adults to relive their childhood to help change the lives of kids in need. The nationwide initiative, supported by Lunchables, features hundreds of events at local Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide in September." Image available at: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130910/MM76664-c

Image with caption: "Grammy Award-winning artist and Boys & Girls Club alum Ne-Yo joins Olympic gold medalists Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Gail Devers, and radio host Griff in a hula hoop competition during a field day event in Atlanta on Saturday, September 7. The event kicked off Boys & Girls Clubs of America's "Day for Kids" which invites adults to relive their childhood to help change the lives of kids in need. The nationwide initiative, supported by Lunchables, features hundreds of events at local Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide in September." Image available at: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130910/MM76664-d

SOURCE Boys & Girls Clubs of America