All in a days work: Let Them Be Kids week across Canada brings smiles and fun
to families

    
    On September 26th, Kool-Aid and Let Them Be Kids will build 8
    playgrounds across the country
    

TORONTO , Sept. 22 /CNW/ - Through summer and into the fall, Let Them Be Kids and Kool-Aid continue to bring affordable fun to communities across Canada . Beginning at sunrise in the East and ending at sunset in the West, on September 26th, 2009 thousands of community members will participate in Let Them Be Kids Day across Canada . They will commit to encouraging a child's laughter, smile or play. Many will donate their time and talent to build playgrounds and skate parks in their own communities.

"Community, family and fun are three things we understand at Kool-Aid," says Christine Cruz-Clarke, Kool-Aid Associate Brand Manager. "Play is essential for both the physical and mental development of a child and these playgrounds and fitness parks will allow children of all ages to get outdoors and be active."

    
    Did you know...

    -   Children are 400 to 500 per cent more likely to be physically active
        if they are given an attractive place to play(1)
    -   It's been found that many kindergartens spend 20 minutes or less per
        day at play.(2)
    -   Outdoor play allows children to establish relationships, which can
        positively affect a group's interactions(3)
    

Having already completed six builds since June, Kool-Aid and Let Them Be Kids will have completed a total of 14 playground builds by the end of September 26th 2009; awarding Let Them Be Kids Kool-Aid Smile Awards to help get the builds started. These new playgrounds will allow children to develop social skills through fun and play, benefiting them while also building a community for today and the future.

"The passion, joy and enthusiasm Canadians share when it comes to children is unsurpassed," says Ian Hill , Volunteer CEO Let Them Be Kids. "For the last several months, we have seen people of all ages come out and support the builds, and we are looking forward to a great turnout on September 26th."

Kool-Aid is encouraging all Canadians to get involved as a volunteer at a local build, or by signing up online to make a pledge to make a child laugh or smile on September 26th . Playgrounds, skate parks and fitness park builds rely on strong community engagement and volunteer support, so Canadians are encouraged to get involved by lending a hand on build day whatever way they can!

Several Let Them Be Kids-Kool-Aid builds are taking place throughout the month of September, culminating in Let Them Be Kids Day across Canada on Saturday September 26th .

    
    September 19, 2009:
    -   Fort Erie, ON
    -   Lincoln, ON

    September 26, 2009
    -   Avondale, NL
    -   Digby, NS
    -   Ottawa, ON
    -   Elliot Lake, ON
    -   Woodville, ON
    -   Sylvan Lake, AB
    -   High Level, AB
    

For more information about the playground builds, to register to volunteer, or apply for a build in your community, visit www.ltbk.ca.

About Kraft Foods

Kraft Foods (http://www.kraftfoodscompany.com) makes today delicious in 150 countries around the globe. Our 100,000 Kraft Foodies work tirelessly to make delicious foods consumers can feel good about. From American brand icons like Kraft cheeses, dinners and dressings, Maxwell House coffees and Oscar Mayer meats, to global powerhouse brands like Oreo and LU biscuits, Philadelphia cream cheeses, Jacobs and Carte Noire coffees, Tang powdered beverages and Milka, Cote d'Or, Lacta and Toblerone chocolates, our brands deliver millions of smiles every day. Kraft Foods Inc. (NYSE: KFT) is the world's second largest food company with annual revenues of $42 billion . The company is a member of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Standard & Poor's 500, the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and Ethibel Sustainability Index. In Canada , company brands include Kraft Dinner macaroni and cheese, Christie cookies and crackers, and Delissio pizza.

About Let Them Be Kids (LTBK)

LTBK is an all-volunteer based organization made up of business leaders, recreation practitioners, experts from various fields and parents - all who are dedicated to making tomorrow better for kids. Started by Ian and Gina Hill over a decade ago, LTBK began in an attempt to help the homeless children of their own local community. Ian and Gina shared the view that if adults focus on building strong families, neighborhoods and communities, kids could just be kids. The LTBK program launched in Canada in 2006 when LTBK identified a need from community organizations across the country who needed assistance to secure funds to build play structures for children who may not have safe, secure places to play.

    
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    (1) American Journal of Public Health,
    (2) Alliance for Childhood, March 2009
        http://www.allianceforchildhood.org/sites/allianceforchildhood.org/files/file/kindergarten_report.pdf
    (3) The Play Strategy. (2008). Department for Children, Schools and
        Families
    

For further information: Angie Di Rezze, Alana Lipton, Edelman, [phone] x 308, x 222, [email protected], [email protected]