Multiple Medallist Kristina Groves Matches Hain Celestial's $5,000 Donation
to Right To Play

$10,000 Donation Means 20,000 Life-Changing Lessons for Children Through Right To Play

DELTA, BC, Feb. 28 /CNW/ - Hain Celestial(TM), Canada's first-ever exclusive Official Supplier of natural and organic packaged grocery products for the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, and Olympic Speed Skater and double medallist Kristina Groves presented her favourite charity, Right To Play, with a $10,000 donation at a special presentation today.

"I would like to match the donation that Hain Celestial has made to Right To Play today," Kristina announced during the ceremony. "I am donating $5,000 from my medal winnings to Right To Play. The work that Right To Play does around the world makes a real difference for hundreds of thousands of children every week. We are so fortunate here in Canada and we need to share our good fortune with others."

"We are so proud of Kristina and her Olympic accomplishments," said Beena Goldenberg, President, Hain Celestial Canada. "But what she has done today says so much about what a great person she is. Hain Celestial is so fortunate to be associated with Kristina."

The $10,000 donation was made by Kristina and Irwin Simon, CEO of The Hain Celestial Group to Johann Koss, President & CEO of Right To Play International. Hain Celestial pledged the initial $5,000 donation which Kristina then personally matched on the spot with another $5,000.

"What Kristina has done today is amazing. We are so fortunate to have such great ambassadors who are great Canadians and wonderful advocates of what we do at Right To Play," said Mr. Koss. "We are so proud of Kristina and her accomplishments at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games. Not only is she a great athlete, she is a true role model for Canadians and children worldwide. We thank Hain Celestial and Kristina for supporting our work. This donation will have a very positive impact on our programs and help us reach even more children through the power of sport and play."

Hain Celestial issued a call to Canadians earlier this week to come out and offer messages of congratulations to Kristina, one of Canada's premier 2010 Winter Games athletes and our first double medallist. Messages posted on the Facebook fan page, Are You Green On The Inside? were personally hand delivered to Kristina at the ceremony which took place at the Right To Play's special pavilion, World of Play, at the Concord Place Community Celebration Zone in Vancouver, BC. The pavilion was also packed with fans to meet Kristina and get her autograph.

"To have my achievements at the 2010 Winter Games acknowledged in such a way, with a donation on my behalf by Hain Celestial to Right To Play, just adds to the amazing journey that I have been on over the past two weeks," said Kristina. "I am thrilled that this $10,000 donation means that so many more children will get to experience the right to play, and see how the power of sport can change lives."

Kristina has emerged as one of Canada's stars at the 2010 Winter Games, winning a silver medal in Women's 1,500m and a bronze in Women's 3,000m. A two-time Olympic silver medallist at the last Winter Games in Torino, 2008 World Cup Overall Champion (1500m), 2008 World Champion (3000m), and 2009 World All-round Silver Medallist, Kristina has spent her entire career going 360 degrees on a speed skating oval with the goal of performing at her very best. She brings that same 360 degree perspective and dedication to the rest of her life by pursuing a green lifestyle every single day - both outside and inside. One of her passions is ensuring all children, regardless of where they live and their family's income level, are given the right to naturally learn the lessons that sport has to teach them.

About Right To Play International

Right To Play is an international humanitarian organization that uses sport and play programs to improve health, develop life skills, and foster peace for children and communities in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the world. Working in both the humanitarian and development context, Right To Play builds local capacity by training community leaders as Coaches to deliver its programs in 23 countries affected by war, poverty, and disease in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and South America. Founded in 2000, Right To Play is headquartered in Toronto, Canada and has national offices in Canada, Norway, The Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The national offices raise funds, build awareness for Right To Play programs and advocate for Sport for Development. For more information, visit www.righttoplay.com.

About Hain Celestial

Hain Celestial Canada is Canada's leading natural and organic food company and is based in Toronto, ON with a manufacturing plant in Vancouver, BC. Their brands include Terra Chips(R), Yves Veggie Cuisine(R), Casbah(R), Earth's Best(R), Garden of Eatin(R), Health Valley(R), Spectrum(R), MaraNatha(R), Alba(R) and Imagine(R). Hain Celestial Canada is a subsidiary of The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAIN), a leading natural and organic food company in North America and Europe. For more information, please visit www.hain-celestial.ca.

/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/

For further information: Diana Robinson, Diana Robinson & Associates, [phone], [phone], [email protected]; Claire Byrne, Hain Celestial Canada, [phone], [email protected]