Boys & Girls Clubs of America to Honor Earvin 'Magic' Johnson at 2010 Heroes & High Hopes Dinner

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Boys & Girls Clubs of America will honor Earvin "Magic" Johnson at its annual Heroes & High Hopes Dinner on October 21, 2010, at JW Marriott Los Angeles at L.A. Live.  Extra host Mario Lopez will serve as Master of Ceremonies and Eric Shanks, President of FOX Sports and National Trustee, Boys & Girls Clubs of America will Chair the event which features the induction of Mr. Johnson into the Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Alumni Hall of Fame.  

"Magic Johnson exemplifies the powerful impact that Boys & Girls Clubs can have on young lives and we are proud to count him as one of our distinguished alumni," said Roxanne Spillett, president and CEO of BGCA.  "He provides inspiration for young people to achieve their dreams and reach their full potential."

Mr. Johnson is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Magic Johnson Enterprises which was formed in 1987.  Through strategic investments, partnerships and endorsements, Magic Johnson Enterprises (MJE) provides products and services that particularly focus on ethnically diverse urban communities. MJE businesses have been at the forefront of urban development, raising the understanding and the importance of the multicultural consumer, and are directly responsible for tremendous growth across the country.  In his New York Times Bestseller "32 Ways to be a Champion in Business," Johnson offers detailed advice, real world expertise and the enthusiasm of a natural born entrepreneur who has pioneered unprecedented economic development in long neglected urban communities.

As Chairman and Founder of the Magic Johnson Foundation, Inc., Johnson is dedicated to developing programs and supporting services that address the educational, health and social needs of ethnically diverse, urban communities.  Founded in 1991, the Magic Johnson Foundation (MJF) has become one of the most recognizable charitable organizations around the world.  

Johnson is universally known for his 13 year career in the NBA.  His honors include: five national championships with the Los Angeles Lakers, 3 MVP awards, 12 NBA All-Star games, a gold medal at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain and induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.  Johnson is also Vice President and part owner of the Los Angeles Lakers.

For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.org) has enabled young people, especially those who need Clubs most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.  Today, some 4,000 Boys & Girls Clubs serve more than 4.2 million young people through Club membership and community outreach.  Clubs can be found throughout the country and on U.S. military installations worldwide, providing young people 6-18 years old with guidance-oriented character development programs conducted by trained, professional staff.  Key programs emphasize leadership development; education and career exploration; community service; technology training; financial literacy; health and life skills; the arts; sports, fitness and recreation; and family outreach.  In a Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives.  

For additional information regarding sponsorship opportunities and tickets, please contact Lauran Huff at Levy, Pazanti & Associates at 310.201.5033 or visit Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Heroes & High Hopes event website at http://heroesandhighhopes.bgca.org.

CONTACT:  Pam Giangregorio 1-323-852-0772

SOURCE Boys & Girls Clubs of America