BATTLE CREEK, Mich.,
Nov. 1, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- A
championship coed baseball team, nearly undefeated for five years
and counting, hasn't enjoyed a home field advantage in years.
That's the reality of the last five seasons for the young athletes
at KIPP Ujima Village Academy (KIPP), a Baltimore middle school with facilities that
were not equipped to host home games for its title-holding, coed
baseball team.
That all changed today thanks to a true champion of all middle
school athletes: Tony the Tiger®. Along with Pro Football
Hall of Famer Ed Reed, Tony
surprised KIPP students, coaches and administrators with a
game-changing Mission Tiger donation that will enable the school to
add teams, improve facilities, offer more opportunities to play and
even bring home its coed baseball squad after years of games played
away from home.
"This is that other Baltimore
baseball streak, the one no one likes talking about, and it's time
to do something about it," said Brant
Wheaton, marketing director of Kellogg U.S. ready-to-eat
cereal segment. "Tony the Tiger is on a mission to save middle
school sports, and what better place to show that commitment than a
school like KIPP where we can make an immediate impact for their
young athletes and their community."
Amongst other improvements, Mission Tiger, an initiative to help
save middle schools sports nationwide, will provide a new field,
complete with dugouts, fencing and a new backstop so that KIPP's
team can finally host home games this spring.
"Thanks to Mission Tiger, we'll have the opportunity to play a
game on our home field in front of family and friends — it's going
to be incredible," Justin Garritt, a
teacher and coach at KIPP Ujima Village Academy said. "This
generous gift will allow us to continue our coed programs as we
teach our students skills that will last long after they have left
the fields at KIPP."
Across the board, KIPP has faced budget challenges that have
prompted cuts to its sports programs beyond baseball. What's more,
KIPP students were recently relocated to a new school building that
now does not meet middle school regulations, leaving teams
sidelined and students benched.
Mission Tiger is helping to remedy that. The donation will allow
KIPP to bring back its flag football team. Moreover, it will revamp
the gymnasium with much-needed updates, including safe basketball
backboards, renovated bleachers and a new scoreboard. A new gym
divider will allow multiple teams to practice at the same time and
make it easier for more students to participate. The KIPP teams
will also receive new jerseys so they can play with pride.
TONY'S NEW TEAMMATE
Pro Football Hall of Famer Ed
Reed is the latest to join Mission Tiger alongside other
athlete superstars. Not only known as a football great but also as
a father, Reed passionately believes in the importance of team
sports in a child's life, and he is dedicated to making access to
sports a priority in a community that he called home for a majority
of his career.
"I believe in the life changing power of sports and that's why I
am proud to partner with Tony to not only help the students at
KIPP, but raise awareness throughout Baltimore and beyond," said Reed. "Middle
school is such an important time for kids to develop their passions
– and sports allow them to learn teamwork, persistence and the
importance of hard work – all of which can lead to a brighter
future."
Since Mission Tiger launched in August
2019, the program has helped more than 161,000 kids
nationwide get better access to sports by funding middle school
sports programs in need.
JOIN THE MISSION
Mission Tiger launched in August with a $1 million dollar commitment to DonorsChoose, a
nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting public schools
nationwide. For every Kellogg's Frosted Flakes® box
purchase, a $1 donation* is sparked
by uploading a receipt to Kellogg's Family Rewards™ via
MissionTiger.com. Thanks to fans coast to coast, schools like KIPP
Ujima Village Academy are able to ensure their kids have better
access to play.
Whether a favorite athletic program has been cut or a local team
needs new uniforms, visit MissionTiger.com today. There fans
can see requests from middle schools seeking funds and join our
team. Mission Tiger middle school sports projects are fulfilled by
Tony's partner, DonorsChoose.
*Kellogg is donating $1 per purchase to DonorsChoose.org with
Kellogg's Frosted Flakes receipt upload. Minimum donation
$500,000; maximum donation
$1,000,000. Go to MissionTiger.com
for instructions. Applies to purchases between 8/5/19 and 8/5/20; must upload within 30
days of purchase.
About Kellogg Company
At Kellogg Company (NYSE: K), we strive to enrich and delight
the world through foods and brands that matter. Our beloved brands
include Pringles®, Cheez-It®, Special K®, Kellogg's Frosted
Flakes®, Pop-Tarts®, Kellogg's Corn Flakes®, Rice Krispies®, Eggo®,
Mini-Wheats®, Kashi®, RXBAR® and more. Net sales in 2018
were approximately $13.5 billion,
comprised principally of snacks and convenience foods like cereal
and frozen foods. Kellogg brands are beloved in markets around the
world. We are also a company with Heart & Soul, committed to
creating Better Days for 3 billion people by the end of 2030
through our Kellogg's® Better Days global purpose
platform. Visit www.KelloggCompany.com or
www.OpenforBreakfast.com.
About DonorsChoose
DonorsChoose is the leading way to give to public schools. Since
2000, more than 4 million people and partners have contributed
$893 million to support 1.5 million
teacher requests for classroom resources and experiences. As the
most trusted crowdfunding platform for teachers, donors, and
district administrators alike, DonorsChoose vets each request,
ships the funded resources directly to the classroom, and provides
thank yous and reporting to donors and school leaders. Charity
Navigator and GuideStar have awarded DonorsChoose, a 501(c)3
nonprofit, their highest ratings for transparency and
accountability. For more information, visit
www.donorschoose.org.
About KIPP Baltimore
KIPP Baltimore currently serves
more than 1,500 students and nearly 1,200 alumni through an
elementary charter school, KIPP Harmony Academy, middle charter
school, KIPP Ujima Village Academy, and an alumni support program
called KIPP Through College (KTC). KIPP schools are part of the
free public school system and enrollment is open to all
students.
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