CHICAGO – October 20, 2008 –  More than 75,000 young children across the country will be encouraged to party with a purpose during national Kids Care Week, October 19 -25.  The annual event recognizes the power of kids to help others in their local community.

Kids Care Clubs, a leading national youth volunteerism program of HandsOn Network, and Quaker, its premier partner, are mobilizing America’s youth to be party pals or  host purposeful parties and celebrations for people in need. Youth across the country will experience the genuine thrill of doing good as they reach out to children in foster care, children in shelters, seniors, animals, the disabled and veterans. It’s an exciting way to introduce children to the genuine thrill of doing good, while enjoying all of the fun of a traditional party. To ensure local clubs have the tools they need to give back, Quaker is providing more than 90 grants totaling $33,000, for parties with a purpose across 39 states.

• In Demming, New Mexico, the Hero KCC will hold a party with a purpose for a local animal shelter
• In Honolulu, HI, the Pearl Harbor Kai KCC will give Party Pal Packages to families living in shelters
• In Clarkson, KY, the Clarkson Elementary KCC will host a party for autistic students
• In Buda, TX, the Buda Elementary KCC will host a party with a purpose to collect items for victims of Hurricane Ike

Moreover, Quaker, with the support of Kids Care Clubs, is making it easy for all moms and kids to host a party with a purpose year round by offering a Birthday Party with a Purpose kit, as part of Quaker’s Kids Doing Good Campaign.  It’s a fun and easy way for busy moms to inspire their young kids to make a positive difference by bringing goodness to others through youth volunteerism.  

“Whether it’s a 'pirate party' where kids put together treasure chests to donate to a children’s hospital, or a 'green party' where kids plant flowers for a nursing home, the Quaker Birthday Party with a Purpose kits provide a simple-to-use format for moms and are fun for kids,” said Kathy Saulitis, director of Kids Care Clubs.  “As a mother of three, I know how important it is to serve as a role model for kids as they grow up, starting at an early age.  Kids naturally have an instinct to help, and reinforcing this early in life is very important.”

Quaker and Kids Care Clubs know it’s important to involve children in volunteerism at an early age for them to develop important life lessons.  According to the 2008 Quaker Youth Volunteerism Report, most moms recognize that volunteer activities teach children respect (88 percent), teamwork (87 percent) and compassion (85 percent)*.   

Birthday Bash that Lets Kids Give Back

The Quaker Birthday Party with a Purpose kits include everything moms need to know to plan and host a birthday party with a purpose, including a how-to guide with volunteer-themed party ideas, a special Kids Doing Good T-Shirt for the birthday boy or girl, “goodness bags,” and achievement certificates for guests to reflect on what they’ve accomplished.  To receive a Quaker’s Birthday Party with a Purpose kit, moms just need to send in the completed mail-in request from available at QuakerKidsDoingGood.com, along with four UPC codes from Quaker Chewy Granola Bars or Quaker Granola Bites.

Lifelong Lessons for Kids

Quaker is committed to continue supporting Kids Care Clubs’ mission to raise compassionate, community-minded kids. In just the first year of partnership, Quaker awarded more than $25,000 in grants to help youth volunteers bring good moments to more than 10,000 people in need. In addition, Quaker helped Kids Care inspire more than 575 youth volunteerism advocates to start Kids Care Clubs in their communities.

“Quaker believes it’s never too early for moms to help kids form good habits, from volunteering to eating wholesome foods,” said Heather Vergara , director of Quaker Snacks.  “That’s why we’re providing moms with the resources they need to fuel their children’s bodies and nourish their minds. Quaker delivers wholesome goodness and nutrition families need to be their best every day.”

Moms can also join the Moms Care network to receive quarterly emails with the latest facts, trends and benefits related to youth volunteerism, read about success stories from moms and other youth leaders, and get an opportunity to receive Quaker products and discounts.  For more information on the Quaker Kids Doing Good campaign, Quaker’s Birthday Parties with a Purpose, and Kids Care Clubs, visit www.QuakerKidsDoingGood.com.   

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About the Quaker Kids Doing Good Campaign
Through Quaker’s Kids Doing Good campaign, Quaker is raising awareness of youth volunteerism and helping busy moms inspire their young kids to make a positive difference by bringing goodness to others.  For more information, visit www.QuakerKidsDoingGood.com.

About Quaker Snack Bars
Quaker Snack Bars is an extensive product line within the Quaker Oats brand, including a variety of Quaker Chewy Granola Bars and baked snacks.  Headquartered in Chicago, and a unit of PepsiCo, Inc., the Quaker Oats Company is one of the world's largest consumer packaged goods companies. For nearly 130 years, Quaker's brands have served as symbols of quality, great taste and nutrition. Holding No. 1 positions in their respective categories, Quaker Oats, Quaker Rice Cakes and Quaker Chewy Granola Bars are consumer favorites. For more information, please visit www.QuakerSnackBars.com.  

About Kids Care Clubs
Kids Care Clubs is a program of HandsOn Network. Since 1990, Kids Care Clubs has been providing meaningful opportunities for elementary and middle school children to develop compassion and inspire a spirit of volunteering. For more information, visit www.kidscare.org.

*The 2008 Quaker Youth Volunteerism Report conducted by Russell Research, July 2008, among 816 respondents across the United States.  All interviewing was conducted on the Russell Research survey website. Results have a statistical precision of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points.