GMC Kicks Off Monday Night Football Tour

DETROIT, Sept. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

• Interactive event lets fans find out if their football skills are Professional Grade
• Tour stops include United Way community projects in nine cities

GMC, together with the NFL, will launch its second annual Monday Night Football Tour this weekend undertaking United Way community projects in Dallas, followed by Tampa Bay, Detroit, New York City, Kansas City, Philadelphia, Boston, New Orleans and Seattle.

This year's expanded tour program invites fans to test their football skills against the pros for a chance to win Monday Night Football game tickets, NFLshop.com gift cards and signed memorabilia. Fans can also meet current and former NFL players such as Miles Austin, DeSean Jackson, Mike Alstott and Tony Dorsett, as well as ESPN Monday Night Football announcer Mike Tirico.

After testing their skills and meeting the pros, fans will have the opportunity to test drive the GMC Acadia, Sierra, Terrain and Yukon and discover why GMC is the official vehicle of the NFL. Go to MondayNightFootballTour.com to learn more and register for the event.

"GMC is taking its game plan for the Monday Night Football Tour to the next level by delivering a more engaging interactive event for NFL fans," said Craig Bierley, GMC Advertising and Sales Promotion director. "In its first year, the tour helped GMC connect with NFL fans in a fun and engaging way. We're looking to build on that success in 2011."

As part of the tour, GMC is teaming up with United Way volunteers, including NFL players, to build playgrounds in local communities as part of United Way's nationwide effort to get 1.9 million more kids active and healthy by 2018.

The United Way Healthy Kids Zones—Driven by GMC will offer children the opportunity to climb, build upper body strength, promote balance and agility, and develop strength and endurance. The playground equipment, paid for by GMC and supplied by GameTime, is designed to help children develop active, healthy bodies, as well as personal and social skills.

"Experts recommend that young people engage in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity for at least 60 minutes a day," said Kitty Hsu Dana, vice president of Health at United Way Worldwide.  "This gift from GMC will offer thousands of children and families the opportunity to improve physical fitness with fun, interactive activities."

Now in its 37th year, the NFL-United Way partnership connects NFL PLAY 60 with United Way's goal to increase youth health and wellness. Studies show the obesity rate among children has nearly doubled in the last 10 years, with approximately 9 million American children over six years old considered obese and at high risk for health problems such as diabetes and heart disease.

"GMC recognizes how important it is to raise awareness about the issue of childhood obesity and to create new opportunities for young people to lead healthier lifestyles," Bierley said. "By working with the NFL and United Way, GMC is helping make communities stronger."

TOUR SCHEDULE

About GMC

GMC has manufactured trucks since 1902, and is one of the industry's healthiest brands. Innovation and engineering excellence is built into all GMC vehicles and the brand is evolving to offer more fuel-efficient trucks and crossovers, including the Terrain smaller SUV and Acadia crossover.  GMC is the only manufacturer to offer three full-size hybrid trucks with the Yukon, Yukon Denali SUVs and the Sierra pickup. The new Sierra Heavy Duty pickups are the most capable and powerful trucks in the market.  Details on all GMC models are available at www.gmc.com, on Twitter at @thisisgmc or at http://www.facebook.com/gmc.

About United Way

United Way is a worldwide network in 40 countries and territories, including more than 1,200 local organizations in the U.S. It advances the common good, creating opportunities for a better life for all by focusing on the three key building blocks of education, income and health.  United Way recruits people and organizations who bring the passion, expertise and resources needed to get things done.  LIVE UNITED® is a call to action for everyone to become a part of the change. For more information about United Way, please visit: www.LIVEUNITED.org.

About the NFL & United Way Partnership

For nearly 40 years, United Way and the National Football League (NFL) and its teams have been working together to help strengthen America's communities. Today, the NFL and United Way are leveraging resources and relationships to raise awareness about the importance of youth health and fitness and create opportunities for kids to lead healthier lifestyles. Learn more about the NFL-United Way partnership at LIVEUNITED.ORG/NFL.

SOURCE General Motors