Nathan's Famous Celebrates Play with Donation to the Johnston Family YMCA in Charlotte

LISLE, Ill., May 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Nathan's Famous brought a taste of Coney Island to the Johnston Family YMCA in Charlotte, N.C. on Wednesday as part of its Ready. Set. PLAY. initiative, a partnership created in 2014 with KaBOOM!. Ready. Set. PLAY. celebrates play and the local leaders who are making active play possible in communities across the nation.

Those involved with the Johnston Family YMCA were treated to a Coney Island-themed afternoon. Nathan's Famous brought its mobile tour to Charlotte where children enjoyed carnival games such as pop-a-shot and skee-ball, a miniature three-horse carousal, a Zoltar® Fortune Teller coupon machine and, most of all, Nathan's Famous Premium Beef Hot Dogs.

Commemorating the achievements of the Johnston Family YMCA, Nathan's Famous surprised Jenny Sigmon, Johnston YMCA Executive Director, with a Food Lion gift card worth $1,000 towards the purchase of groceries, courtesy of Nathan's Famous. Food Lion also donated a $500 gift card to be used towards the purchase of hot dogs, snacks and water to support the Nathan's Famous Play Day.

"When kids play, they build more than strong bodies," said Sigmon. "Play helps children build new relationships and strengthen bonds with family and friends. We remain grateful to KaBOOM! as well as Nathan's Famous for making play possible for thousands of kids at our Johnston YMCA, and for 'playing it forward' with an exciting play day."

"We believe balanced, active play is important for children and their development, and the Johnston Family YMCA puts forth an incredible amount of work to keep Charlotte's youth active, 365 days a year," said Mike Paribello, Sr. Director of Marketing, Nathan's Famous. "Nathan's Famous is extremely proud of our partnerships with KaBOOM! and the impact it has not only on local communities, but the individual kids who benefit from these builds."

KaBOOM! partnered with the Johnston Family YMCA in 2011 to build its playground.   

Nathan's Famous was founded almost 100 years ago in Coney Island, a popular New York City amusement and leisure destination.  Nathan's Famous prides itself on its great quality, unmistakable taste, and a passion for family fun and community support.

Nathan's Famous is a licensed brand of Smithfield Foods.

About Nathan's Famous
Nathan's is a Russell 2000 Company that currently distributes its products in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Cayman Islands and nine foreign countries through its restaurant system, foodservice sales programs and product licensing activities. Nathan's was ranked #55 on the Forbes list of the Best Small Companies in America and was listed as the Best Small Company in New York State in October 2013. Last year, over 480 million Nathan's Famous hot dogs were sold. For additional information about Nathan's please visit our website at www.nathansfamous.com.

About Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods is a $15 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield®, Eckrich®, Farmland®, Armour®, Cook's®, John Morrell®, Gwaltney®, Nathan's Famous®, Kretschmar®, Margherita®, Curly's®, Carando® and Healthy Ones®. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com and www.smithfieldcommitments.com.

About KaBOOM!
KaBOOM! is the national non-profit dedicated to giving all kids – particularly those growing up in poverty in America – the childhood they deserve filled with balanced and active play, so they can thrive. Since 1996, KaBOOM! has collaborated with partners to build, open or improve nearly 16,300 playgrounds, engaged more than one million volunteers and served 8.1 million kids. KaBOOM! creates great places to play, inspires communities to promote and support play, and works to drive the national discussion about the importance of play in fostering healthy and productive lives. To learn why #playmatters: visit kaboom.org or join the conversation at twitter.com/kaboom or facebook.com/kaboom.

About YMCA of Greater Charlotte
The Y is one of the nation's leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The YMCA of Greater Charlotte, comprised of 19 Y branches and two resident camps, engages approximately 292,000 men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation's health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Deeply rooted in the community for 140 years, the YMCA of Greater Charlotte has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. www.ymcacharlotte.org

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150520/217731

SOURCE Nathan's Famous

Related Links

http://www.nathansfamous.com