The Hershey Company Continues Its Longstanding Commitment to Youth Fitness at 33rd Annual Hershey’s® Track & Field Games North American Final Meet

Published on Tuesday, 03 August 2010 08:19 Written by TradersHuddle Staff

HERSHEY, Pa.-( Business Wire )-

The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) announced today that it will host 450 youth athletes from across the United States and Canada to compete in the 33^rd Annual Hershey’s® Track & Field Games North American Final Meet, taking place on Saturday, August 7, at Henry Hershey Field on the Milton Hershey School campus in Hershey, Pa.

Hershey’s® Track & Field Games is the longest-running youth sports program of its kind in North America. It is designed to encourage physical fitness and sportsmanship for youth of all ages and abilities.

More than 10 million youth athletes, ages nine through 14, have participated in the Hershey’s® Track & Field Games over the program’s 33-year history – all at no cost of entry. And while several Olympic athletes received their start through the program, the mission of the Games is simply to provide kids with a fun and easy way to become active and engaged in healthy activities.

In 2010, more than 400,000 kids in more than 3,000 North American communities participated in the Hershey’s® Track & Field Games. The 2010 North American Final Meet will bring together the top 450 boys and girls who have advanced through local, state and regional Hershey’s® Track & Field Games events to compete in Hershey, all courtesy of The Hershey Company.

The athletes will be joined at the North American Final Meet by three longtime Hershey’s® Track & Field Games ambassadors and Olympic legends:

• Rafer Johnson, who this summer is celebrating the 50^th anniversary of his decathlon gold medal at the 1960 Games in Rome
• Carl Lewis, one of only two athletes ever to capture nine Olympic gold medals, which he accomplished over a remarkable 12-year span between 1984 and 1996
• Sanya Richards, a two-time Olympic gold medalist (2004 and 2008) and the 2009 World Outdoor Champion in the 400 meters

“After 33 years, The Hershey Company’s commitment to youth physical activity and sportsmanship only continues to grow,” said Dan Azzara, Vice President, Global Research and Development, The Hershey Company. “Hershey’s® Track & Field Games offers children an opportunity to participate in a unique program that blends fun, fitness and friendly competition.”

In addition to the variety of track and field events taking place, the athletes will visit one of Hershey’s manufacturing facilities, HERSHEYPARK entertainment complex and Hershey’s Chocolate World attraction, as well as have a chance to meet personally with Johnson, Lewis and Richards.

“Hershey’s® Track and Field Games not only provide a great experience for the kids, but it also gives them a feeling of accomplishment as they begin to grow and recognize their potential, “ said Johnson. “The chance to positively influence our nation’s youth on the importance of physical fitness is something I am honored to have been a part of for nearly 30 years.”

In addition to drawing attention nationwide from all ages and abilities of youth, several youth from Pennsylvania will be participating in the North American Final Meet. They include:

Youth Athlete Name			Pennsylvania Hometown
Noah Boris			Allison Park
Kayla Greenawalt			Blue Mountain
Daizhun Rhodes			Easton
Alyssa Miller			Enola
Jordan Schrock			Forest Hills
Jada Dunsen			Lancaster
Alyssa Austin			Lebanon
Trevor Buda			Mt. Lebanon
Michael Sumfest			Selingsgrove
Natasha Fedkina			State College

Hershey’s also announced the continuation of their Hershey’s FastTrack to Sports program, available for any parent, coach, educator or child interested in living a more active and healthy lifestyle. Hershey’s FastTrack to Sports was developed in conjunction with Carl Lewis and Athletics Canada to instruct children in the basics of track and field, which serve as the fundamentals for all sports and many everyday activities. It was first launched in 2007 as a pilot program for the National Recreation and Park Association and is now available by visiting www.hersheystrackandfield.com. In addition to allowing enthusiasts to sign up to receive the program, the site also offers an abbreviated online instructional video that teaches adults and children basic track and field skills.

For more information on the Hershey’s® Track and Field Games and the North American Final Meet, visit www.hersheystrackandfield.com.

About Hershey’s® Track & Field Games

Founded in 1975 by Dr. Donald P. Cohen in Charleston, W.Va., Hershey’s Track & Field Games has grown from a local playground event in a single community to an international program encouraging physical fitness among youths and sportsmanship between peers. More than 10 million children from the United States and Canada have participated in the Hershey’s® Track & Field Games to date. Children interested in participating in Hershey’s® Track & Field Games or adults interested in hosting a qualifying meet in their town can visit www.hersheystrackandfield.com. The Hershey Company provides national funding for Hershey’s Track & Field Games. Additional partners are the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), USA Track & Field and Athletics Canada. Hershey’s® Track & Field Games is the largest youth sports program of its kind with over 400,000 children participating in the program yearly, representing over 3,000 communities.

About The Hershey Company

The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is the largest producer of quality chocolate in North America and a global leader in chocolate and sugar confectionery. Headquartered in Hershey, Pa., The Hershey Company has operations throughout the world and more than 12,000 employees. With revenues of more than $5 billion, Hershey offers such iconic brands as Hershey’s, Reese’s, Hershey’s Kisses, Kit Kat, Twizzlers and Ice Breakers as well as the smooth, creamy indulgence of Hershey’s Bliss chocolates. Hershey is a leader in the fast-growing dark and premium chocolate segment, with such brands as Hershey’s Special Dark and Hershey’s Extra Dark. In addition, Artisan Confections Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Hershey Company, markets such premium chocolate offerings as Scharffen Berger and Dagoba. For more than 100 years, The Hershey Company has been a leader in making a positive difference in the communities where we live, work and do business. The Milton Hershey School, established by the company’s founder in 1909, provides a nurturing environment, quality education, housing, and medical care at no cost to children in social and financial need. The School is administered by the Hershey Trust Company, Hershey’s largest shareholder, making the students of Milton Hershey School direct beneficiaries of Hershey’s success. Please visit us at www.hersheys.com.

The Hershey CompanyAnna Lingeris, 717-534-4874Public Relations This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.