WASHINGTON, D.C., April 2003 - Kids Care Clubs, a program of the Points of Light Foundation, and Kudos® Brand today announced the winners of the 2003 Give Kudos® to Kids Who Care Poster Contest. Children across the country in kindergarten through eighth grade were invited to create a poster to help inspire and encourage young people to show their "caring spirit" during National Volunteer Week. National Volunteer Week will be celebrated from April 27th - May 3rd. This year's theme is Celebrate Volunteers - the Spirit of America!

The Poster Contest is part of a yearlong partnership between Kudos® and Kids Care Clubs. Through their sponsorship of Kids Care Week 2002, mini-grant awards and a large donation of art supplies, Kudos® inspired and enabled over 3000 young people across the country to be caring citizens through art-related service projects. Kudos® also donated thousands of Kudos® milk chocolate granola bars to Kids Care Clubs to be included their projects.

"The Poster Contest is a great way for children to use their creative talents and to express their caring spirit, "said Robert Goodwin, President and CEO of the Points of Light Foundation. He continued "This year it is especially important for children to celebrate spirit of America and how volunteering is an essential part of our spirit."

"Young people can and do have an impact on issues facing their community through volunteering,"

said Jim Cass, Marketing Director for Developing Snackfoods for MASTERFOODS USA, "Masterfoods is proud to provide Kudos to Kids Who Care and hope the winning poster will help inspire other young people to care."

The grand prizewinner is seventh grader, Kristal DeRuise from Reno Nevada. Kristal's depiction of children volunteering in their community and celebrating the Spirit of America earned her top honors. Her winning poster will be distributed for use during National Volunteer Week. " I hope this poster will get kids' attention, and inspire them to help out in their community," said Kristal. "I volunteer because I want to help with things that are close to me. I didn't really think a kid could ever make that big a difference, but I learned we can. People love it when kids help out. It makes me feel good inside when I know that I helped someone."

Kristal won a n all expense paid trip for 3 days and two nights to Washington, D.C during National Volunteer Week. She will be recognized during a reception at the Points of Light Foundation where the winning posters will be displayed. She will also receive a year's supply of KUDOS® milk chocolate granola bars.

A panel of independent judges representing art museums, arts education organizations and children's art programs judged the poster entries for creativity and originality, artistic merit and relevance to the theme of Celebrate Volunteers - the Spirit of America! There were also nine honorable mentions awarded, three in each of the following age groups:

(K-2)
Brennon Thompson - Honeoye Falls, NY
Brigitte Dale - Stamford, CT
Emilia Liu - Hoboken, NJ

(3-5)
Alexis Barbank - Jay, ME
Molly Lindsey - Winthrop, ME
David Shorbel - Decatur, AL

(6-8)
Kayla Wiles - Sarasota, FL
Samantha Williams - Irvine, PA
Sondra Outwater -- Kotzebue, AK

These young people will receive a Crayola Backpack filled with art supplies and an assortment of Kudos® milk chocolate granola bars. The ten winning posters are available to view online at www.kidscare.org .

To learn more about Kids Care Clubs, visit www.kidscare.org, call (203) 656-8052 or email kidscare@pointsoflight.org. To learn more about National Volunteer Week, visit http://www.pointsoflight.org/programs/seasons/nvw/, email volunteerweek@pointsoflight.org or call (202) 729-8168.

Kids Care Clubs is a program of the Points of Light Foundation. Since 1991, Kids Care Clubs has been providing meaningful hands-on service opportunities for children to develop compassion and the spirit of service and philanthropy by helping others in their local, national and global communities.

The Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network supports the vital work of millions of volunteers, who are helping to solve serious social problems in thousands of communities nationwide. For more information about local volunteer activities, call 1-800-VOLUNTEER, or visit www.1800volunteer.org.

MASTERFOODS USA, the name of the United States food, snack and petcare operations of Mars, Incorporated, is one of the world's leading food manufacturers. The combined food, petcare and snack segments are a symbol of excellence for quality brands. Headquartered in Hackettstown, NJ, MASTERFOODS USA owns some of the world's favorite brands including "M&M's"® Brand, SNICKERS® Brand, UNCLE BEN'S® Brand, KAL KAN® Brand, PEDIGREE® Brand Food For Dogs, WHISKAS® Brand Food For Cats, SEEDS OF CHANGE®, and FLAVIA® Beverage Systems.