Press Releases

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 12, 2003--On Friday, September 12th, Snapple Beverage Group teamed up with the nonprofit organization KaBOOM!, to introduce ESKAL8 - a national skate park program that mobilizes youth, community leaders, contributors and sponsors to create quality public skate parks - for the very first build in New York City. Riding on the heels of Tuesday's announcement that Snapple and the City of New York have entered into a five-year vending and marketing agreement, the Mullaly Skate Park build is the first of many Snapple sponsored programs in New York City. Through the construction of community-built skate parks, Snapple and ESKAL8 will develop unique places where kids can practice their sport while also promoting responsible biking, skateboarding and in-line skating.

"Since its ramps first opened in 1988, Mullaly Skate Park has been a favorite place for young skaters and cyclists to practice grinds and show off their tricks," said Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe. "We're pleased that Snapple and ESKAL8 are helping Mullaly Skate Park reclaim its status as a premiere athletic facility and giving New Yorkers a way to get fit while having a blast."

With support from the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation and the "NYC Marketing" and Development Corporation, Snapple and ESKAL8 rebuilt Mullaly Park, NYC's first skate park located on E. 165th Street and Jerome Ave., Bronx, NY (two blocks from Yankee Stadium). Snapple employees worked alongside local youth to transform this area constructing new, jumps and grind boxes to revive the ailing park.

"The Mullaly Skate Park build is a great example of what results when the City partners with committed companies like Snapple," said Joseph M. Perello, Chief Marketing Officer of the City of New York. "This reflects how serious Snapple is about impacting life in the City and supporting recreation for our kids."

Special guests to the "Mullaly Park Skate Park Project" gathered this afternoon for a brief ceremony featuring representatives from Snapple Beverage Group, ESKAL8, "NYC Marketing" and Development Corporation, and New York Parks & Recreation. In addition, active Marine Corps members just returning home from overseas lent a helping hand in the improvement of their community. Special guests included:

-- Jack Belsito, President of Snapple Beverage Group and Mott's
-- Wendy "The Snapple Lady"
-- Darell Hammond, CEO of KaBOOM! and ESKAL8
-- Adrian Benepe, New York City Parks & Recreation Commissioner
-- Joseph M. Perello, Chief Marketing Officer of the City of New York
-- Earl Brown, Deputy Bronx Borough President
-- Michael Hopper, Assistant Director of Corporate and Community Relations, New York Yankees
-- Forty U.S. Marines from Weapons Company 2nd Battalion 25th Marine Corps

The one-day build started at 8:00AM, and ended with a ribbon cutting at 4:30PM featuring a demonstration by several talented young skaters.

"We are thrilled to be a part of this skate park build in our hometown and look forward to serving the community that has been so supportive of Snapple," said Steven Jarmon, Vice President of Partnerships and Community Ventures for Snapple Beverage Group. "It is great to be involved with ESKAL8 as they transform parks into safe, fun and challenging environments for our youth."

Among aficionados of in-line skating, skateboarding, and BMX biking, Mullaly has achieved legendary status as the first skate park in New York City. The Snapple/ESKAL8 "Skate Park Build Day" at Mullaly Park has been long awaited from the area's skaters who are often banned from skating in other community areas and have been lacking quality equipment to practice their craft.

"KaBOOM! has been building playgrounds for eight years and as the kids who play on our playgrounds get older and develop new interests, we want to be with them, making sure they still have safe places to be active," said Darell Hammond. "With over 13 million skateboarders in the U.S. and only 1,000 skate parks, it is clear that the number of skate parks across the country is woefully inadequate," Hammond added. "With Snapple's help, ESKAL8 and KaBOOM! will work to lead community-build skate park construction projects, like this one, across the country."

In addition to providing volunteers for this event, Snapple has been a Funding Partner with KaBOOM! since 2002 and has pledged generous funds from the sale of Snap2O and charity event proceeds to KaBOOM!'s build initiatives throughout the country. What's more, Snapple plans to support additional skate park builds in the New York area as they maintain their partnership with ESKAL8. The New York Yankees have also donated $5,000 in support of this program.

Using its signature "community-build" process, KaBOOM!, the national nonprofit organization founded in 1995, has mobilized more than 2,000 communities to provide or improve play spaces for children. To meet the escalating needs of youth and communities, KaBOOM! is now bringing together young people, community leaders and corporate partners and facilitating the group planning and design of new community skate parks. The planning process culminates in an ESKAL8 Skate park Build Day, which is a high energy, done-in-a-day volunteer event--an old-fashioned barn-raising with an urban skater twist! In addition to Mullaly, ESKAL8 has plans to rebuild and construct skate park facilities in other cities around the country including, Washington, DC, Baton Rouge, LA, Atlanta, GA and even more in New York, NY. ESKAL8 has already successfully built in San Antonio, TX, and Norwich, NY.

About ESKAL8
ESKAL8, the national skate park program powered by KaBOOM!, mobilizes youth, community leaders and founders to create quality skate parks for youth. An ESKAL8 skate park is a public space, designed and built by the local community, where youth can safely challenge themselves--not only through the planning process--but also as they skateboard, BMX bike, and in-line skate. Through the ESKAL8 program, KaBOOM! works to LEAD skatepark construction projects; EDUCATE and enable program replication through challenge grants, training, publications and technical assistance; and ADVOCATE for the right to skate. For more information, visit www.eskal8.org or call (312) 822-6863.

About KaBOOM!
Since 1995, KaBOOM! has worked to change the world one playground at a time by creating healthy play opportunities and environments for children. By partnering with individuals, civic groups, businesses and foundations, KaBOOM! leads playground projects, educates community leaders and advocates for the child's right to play, It has raised more than $20 million to build and improve 2,000 playgrounds and counting, and has published books and trained hundreds in community building. KaBOOM! was named one of America's 100 Best Charities of 2002 by Worth, and is headquartered in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.kaboom.org or call 202-659-0215.

About Snapple Beverage Group
The Snapple Beverage Group, a unit of Cadbury Schweppes, plc (NYSE:CSG), has a beverage brand portfolio that includes Snapple(R), Mistic(R), Nantucket Nectars(R), Orangina(R), Stewart's(R) and Yoo-hoo(R).

Note: A photo is available at URL: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/photo.cgi?pw.091203/bb8

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CONTACT: Megan Sheekey/Eric Adolfsen (Parks & Recreation) (212) 360-1311