Las Vegas, NV – Samsung Electronics America, Inc., a world leader in consumer electronics, is also leading the way in corporate goodwill with a unique national philanthropy program that brings together four sports legends, a top music star and leading U.S. retailers to improve the quality of life for children and their families who face major challenges. Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope is a year round goodwill program that centers its efforts on raising awareness and funds for the charities of golf’s Arnold Palmer, football’s Boomer Esiason, baseball’s Joe Torre and basketball’s Magic Johnson, as well charities supported by Jon Bon Jovi.
Launched in 2002, Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope, together with retail partners Best Buy, Circuit City, Comp USA and Sears. The retailers have encouraged their customers to donate to the program by offering special prizes such as a trip to the Super Bowl, an autographed Joe Torre baseball or a chance to shoot hoops with Magic Johnson. The retailers also tie special sales promotions to Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope that raise funds and help customers participate when they purchase specific products.
“Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope offers a powerful way for Samsung to impact the lives of the children and families served by the communities we do business in,” said Peter Weedfald, Sr. Vice President, Strategic Marketing, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. “The combination of athletes and musicians of this caliber with the causes they support makes this the only program of its kind. We’re honored to have the opportunity to give something back to the community.”
Each personality joined “Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope” program because of the unique, high-level national exposure the campaign offers their charities. And each one has a commitment to local communities and charities. Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope charities include:
The Magic Johnson Foundation. Founded by Magic Johnson following his retirement from the NBA in 1991, the foundation strives to improve and serve the health, educational and social needs of children residing in inner-city communities. Under the aegis of Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope, Samsung will support technology centers for inner-city youths, and fund scholarship programs and social and cultural programs. . “Samsung immediately understood the long-term value of this approach,” Johnson said. “The Magic Johnson Foundation wants to work with causes that understand and embrace our mission. Samsung does.”
The Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation. In conjunction with Samsung's Four Seasons of Hope program, Joe Torre has launched this charitable foundation dedicated to fund and develop educational programs that will end the cycle of domestic violence and save lives. Together with Samsung, the foundation has made both monetary and product donations to shelters in the New York area.
The Boomer Esiason Foundation to Benefit Cystic Fibrosis. Created by Boomer Esiason and his wife in 1993 after their son was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, the foundation works to raise money to find a cure for the genetic disease. To date, more than $12 million has been raised for the cause. Samsung donates money to the foundation during Super Bowl week.
The Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children & Women. Located in Orlando, Florida, the hospital is the only hospital in the southeast -- and one of the few hospitals in the nation -- dedicated exclusively to serving the special needs of children and women. Samsung is providing a significant monetary donation as well as technology products such as computers and TVs to the children’s hospital and the vision for a new women and infant’s hospital. “The most important part of my career was the platform it provided me to help find a cure for cystic fibrosis,” said Boomer Esiason. “’Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope’ will bring much-needed attention to this disease.”
Jon Bon Jovi’s Philadelphia based charities include:
Northern Home for Children - The home serves neglected and abused children ages 10-18 who are referred through Children and Youth Agencies of Philadelphia and Delaware Counties. Northern Homes is one of the oldest facilities for children. The home offers on ground school, educational and recreational programs, social workers, childcare workers, and medical/health care and psychological/psychiatric services. The mission of this facility is to reunite the kids with their families and to provide them with the essentials needed for becoming productive members of society.
Corporate Alliance for Drug Education (CADE) - In 1987, a group of committed corporate leaders, the presidents of our four major league sports teams, and the city's Mayor and Police Commissioner came together with a common mission---to fund prevention programs that would protect a generation of elementary school children from substance abuse and violence. Their investment in the future of Philadelphia's children is known as CADE, the Corporate Alliance for Drug Education. CADE works with 50,000 children each year throughout Philadelphia. CADE Prevention Specialists are consistent, trusted, positive adult role models who teach life-saving skills: decision making, goal setting, conflict resolution, communication and self-esteem.
The Philadelphia Children's Alliance (PCA) - Acts to prevent further trauma to abused children, and to assure that each child receives the services he or she needs. For an abused child, the immediate pressing needs are safety, comfort and reassurance.
Philabundance - A family nutrition initiative that combines nutrition education programs with food distribution for low-income families. They provide the knowledge and skills necessary to maintain good basic nutrition and health. The program targets residents of Philadelphia's impoverished communities, with particular emphasis on women with children. Besides the instructors, local chefs help by conducting volunteer cooking demonstrations.
For more information about Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope, please visit our website at www.fourseasonsofhope.com.
About Samsung Electronics America, Inc.
Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, NJ, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., markets a broad range of award-winning, advanced digital consumer electronics, information systems and telecommunications products. The SEA organization oversees the North American operations of Samsung’s Consumer Electronics Division, Information Technology Division, Samsung Telecommunications America, Samsung Electronics Canada and Samsung Electronics Mexico. Please visit www.samsung.com for more information.
About Samsung Electronics SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2003 parent company sales of US$36.4 billion and net income of US$5.0 billion. Employing approximately 88,000 people in 89 offices in 46 countries, the company consists of six main business units: Corporate Technology Operations, Digital Appliance Business, Digital Media Business, LCD Business, Semiconductor Business and Telecommunication Network Business. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is the world’s largest producer of color monitors, color TVs,memory chips, TFT-LCDs and VCRs.
