Press Release
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Lynne Andrews
Marketing Expectations, Inc.
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NFL's Buffalo Bills #99 Marcus Stroud and Team Tiger Foundation Announce "Sacking Obesity" Children's Essay Contest
More than 200 Kids' Winning Essays Will Be Selected to Attend 'Sacking Obesity' Sports & Wellness Camp for Kids Saturday, April 16, 2011 at the Georgia Dome
Atlanta, GA (February 28, 2011) - Childhood obesity continues to plague our nation as the number of adolescents and children designated as overweight or obese rises to epidemic proportions. According to Georgia Children's Health Alliance1, a 2005 study showed more than 43 percent of Georgia's third-‐graders are overweight or obese. To help combat this epidemic, NFL's Defensive #99 starting defensive tackle Marcus Stroud and Team Tiger, a non-‐profit organization founded by 12-‐year-‐old Alpharetta resident Tiger Greene, have teamed up to present 'Sacking Obesity: Sports and Wellness Camp" - an exciting sports and wellness camp for kids on Saturday, April 16, 2011 at the Georgia Dome.
The two unlikely heroes in the fight against childhood obesity today announced details of an essay contest that children throughout Georgia can enter to win a chance to join Marcus Stroud, Marcus' fellow NFL players, Tiger Greene and health providers at the 'Sacking Obesity Camp' slated for Saturday, April 16, 2011 at the Georgia Dome. Contest rules and essay entry forms can be downloaded at www.marcusstroudcharitablefoundation.com or www.teamtiger2010.com.
Students, ages 7 to 15, that fall into the national criteria for childhood obesity are eligible to enter the essay contest. Entrants will be asked to complete the official entry form along with an original essay of 75 words or more explaining why they want to attend the Sacking Obesity Wellness Camp. Winning entries will be judged by the board of Team Tiger organization. Deadline for entries is March 27, 2011. Campers selected as winning entrants will be announced on April 2, 2011.
Marcus Stroud Foundation and Team Tiger Announce Essay Contest/add one
"I am excited to present this sports and wellness camp along with Tiger Greene and Team Tiger at the Georgia Dome as we focus together to 'Sack Childhood Obesity," said Marcus Stroud, NFL player and co-‐host of Sacking Obesity camp. "Tiger and I invite students across Georgia who battle the every day challenges of being labeled 'overweight' to enter this essay contest and join us in this fight against childhood obesity and the future of children's health in Georgia."
Tiger Greene, who founded Team Tiger Foundation last year to chronicle his personal weight loss journey, added, "The experts say my generation will be the first to not outlive our parents because of childhood obesity. Thanks to my partnership with Marcus we are going to make sure that doesn't happen."
Priority Payment Systems, headquartered in Alpharetta, is proud to serve as the presenting sponsor of the "Sacking Obesity" event this year. "Over the last few years I have had the privilege of getting to know the Greene Family, and I want to show my full support for this wonderful cause that Tiger Greene is leading," said John V. Priore, President and CEO of Priority Payment Systems. "Tiger is an inspiration to us all, and with the continuing growing issue of childhood obesity, I could not find a better way to get involved with something as important as this cause."
On Friday, April 15, 2011, Marcus Stroud and Team Tiger will host the Marcus Stroud Charitable Foundation's 2nd annual Ball: "Casino Royale: Sacking Obesity" at the Ritz-‐ Carlton in downtown Atlanta. All proceeds from the Gala, including ticket sales, corporate sponsorships and silent auction donations, will help provide camp scholarships for more than 200 kids selected with winning essays to participate in the Sacking Obesity camp to be held the following day at the Georgia Dome.
About the Marcus Stroud Charitable Foundation
The Marcus Stroud Charitable Foundation (MSCF) was founded in 2007 by Marcus Stroud, #99 with the Buffalo Bills. Stroud is a Thomaston, GA native, former UGA defensive tackle and 13th overall NFL draft pick in 2001 signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars and later with Buffalo Bills in 2008. His foundation's mission is to foster support by enriching the lives of under-‐privileged children by establishing academic and athletic programs otherwise unavailable to them. Stroud's passion on the field has only been paralleled by his desire to give back and support the communities that supported his growth both on and off the field. Additional information on Marcus and his Foundation can be found at (www.marcusstroudcharitablefoundation.com).
About Team Tiger
Team Tiger is a non-‐profit organization founded by 12 year-‐old Tiger Greene. Tiger has used his own weight loss journey to inspire kids and families all over the world in their battle to fight childhood obesity. Tiger has become a national spokes kid for this curable epidemic with stories about his personal battle with this disease featured on national television shows including: Dr. Oz, CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Anderson Cooper 360, NBC and ABC affiliates and as a featured speaker at the Georgia Children's Health Alliance 'Refocus' Launch. Tiger's motto "Yes We Can...Follow Me" has inspired big kids across the country to follow his lead in this fight against childhood obesity. For more information on Team Tiger, visit www.teamtiger2010.com.
