WASHINGTON, D.C., September 30, 2002-- Young people from Killeen to Karachi and from Kalamazoo to Katmandu will have the opportunity to bring the joy of art to their communities during Kids Care Week 2002, October 20 through 26. The week, sponsored by KUDOS ® Brand, is dedicated to recognizing the power of kids to reach out and help others in their community and the world. Kids Care Week culminates on Make a Difference Day, Saturday, October 26, a national day of doing good sponsored by the Points of Light Foundation and USA Weekend.

During National Kids Care Week 2002, young volunteers will combine their spirit of compassion with their creative energy to enrich and heal the lives of others through art-related service projects. These projects include assembling HeART Backpacks and HeART Boxes with art supplies and Kudos ® granola bars for children in hospitals, foster care and homeless shelters, hosting art festivals and exhibits, creating community banners and murals, conducting intergenerational art activities and advocating for the arts and arts education.

Why celebrate art? Research shows that arts programs teach critical self-discipline, communication and job skills, and can reduce risky behaviors in youth. Art provides an emotional outlet for patients and families during illness and recovery and brightens up their environment. Art can transcend language, race, creed, gender, age, and nationality. Art celebrates the spirit of human kind. Art heals.

"Creating art provides a way for young people to express themselves. Art-related service projects are a terrific way to connect with others and build community," says Kathy Saulitis, Director of Kids Care Clubs.

Thanks to a generous donation from KUDOS ® Brand, Kids Care Clubs will receive mini-grants and art supplies to support their participation in the week. All registered clubs are eligible to order art supplies. Clubs receiving $250 mini-grants include:

* Greater Missionworks, Atlanta, GA
* Julius West Middle School, Rockville, MD
* Garfield Community Magnet School, Revere, MA
* Madison School, Hinsdale, IL
* Weekday School, Dallas, TX
* Holly Hills Elementary School, Denver, CO
* Church of the Master, Warren, MI
* Jewish Family Service of Greater Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes-Barre, PA
* St Joseph's School, Brookfield, CT
* The Willows Community School, Los Angeles, CA
* Sunrise Elementary School, Sunrise, FL
* Auer Elementary School, Milwaukee, WI
* Volunteer Resource Center, Minneapolis, MN
* Grinnell School, Derry, NH
* Eleanor Roosevelt Intermediate School, New York, NY
* Rush Middle School, Philadelphia, PA
* Harris Hill School, Penfield, PA
* Harborside School, San Diego, CA
* Carriage Crest Elementary School, Renton, WA
* Westminister Presbyterian Church, Greenville, SC

"Kids Care Week provides an opportunity to celebrate and recognize the impact young people can have on issues facing their community through hands-on service projects," said Scott Hudler, of MASTERFOODS USA. "We are pleased to provide support through mini-grants and art supplies for the week which celebrates the use of young people's creative talents in helping communities through art."

To arrange interviews with local or national Kids Care spokespersons contact Kathy Saulitis at 203-656-8052. To learn more about Kids Care Week and Celebrate Kids with HeART, visit www.kidscare.org, call (203) 656-8052 or e-mail kidscare@pointsoflight.org.

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.