LISLE, Ill., June 25, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nathan's Famous brought a taste of Coney Island to the El Dorado Boys & Girls Club in Fresno, Calif. on Wednesday as part of its Ready. Set. PLAY. initiative, a partnership created in 2014 with KaBOOM!. Ready. Set. PLAY. celebrates play and the local leaders who are making active play possible in communities across the nation.
A photo accompanying this release is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=34075
Those involved with the El Dorado Boys & Girls Club were treated to a Coney Island-themed afternoon. Nathan's Famous brought its mobile tour to Fresno where children enjoyed carnival games such as pop-a-shot and skee-ball, a miniature three-horse carousel, a Zoltar® Fortune Teller coupon machine, a two-story tall slide and, most of all, Nathan's Famous Premium Beef Hot Dogs.
Commemorating the achievements of the El Dorado Boys & Girls Club, Nathan's Famous surprised Kathy Vue, El Dorado Boys & Girls Club Unit Director, with a $1,000 Save Mart gift card to be used towards the purchase of groceries, courtesy of Nathan's Famous.
"Our boys and girls had so much fun today and we're very appreciative of Nathan's Famous and KaBOOM for making it possible," said Vue. "It was wonderful to see the kids' eyes light up and the smiles spread across their faces as they played with the mobile display. They had a great time to say the least. On top of that, Nathan's Famous surprised us with a $1,000 gift card to Save Mart. That will be a huge help to our organization and aid in offsetting the costs of our future programs."
"We believe balanced, active play is important for children and their development, and the El Dorado Boys & Girls Club puts forth an incredible amount of work to keep Fresno's youth active, 365 days a year," said Mike Paribello, Sr. Director of Marketing, Nathan's Famous. "Nathan's Famous is extremely proud of our partnerships with KaBOOM! and the impact it has not only on local communities, but the individual kids who benefit from these builds."
KaBOOM! partnered with the El Dorado Boys & Girls Club in 2011 to build its playground. Since its completion, the playground has become the center attraction for the community.
Nathan's Famous was founded almost 100 years ago in Coney Island, a popular New York City amusement and leisure destination. Nathan's Famous prides itself on its great quality, unmistakable taste, and a passion for family fun and community support.
Nathan's Famous is a licensed brand of Smithfield Foods.
About Nathan's Famous
Nathan's is a Russell 2000 Company that currently distributes its products in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Cayman Islands and nine foreign countries through its restaurant system, foodservice sales programs and product licensing activities. Nathan's was ranked #55 on the Forbes list of the Best Small Companies in America and was listed as the Best Small Company in New York State in October 2013. Last year, over 500 million Nathan's Famous hot dogs were sold. For additional information about Nathan's please visit our website at www.nathansfamous.com.
About Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods is a $15 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield®, Eckrich®, Farmland®, Armour®, Cook's®, John Morrell®, Gwaltney®, Nathan's Famous®, Kretschmar®, Margherita®, Curly's®, Carando® and Healthy Ones®. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com and www.smithfieldcommitments.com.
About KaBOOM!
KaBOOM! is the national non-profit dedicated to giving all kids – particularly those growing up in poverty in America – the childhood they deserve filled with balanced and active play, so they can thrive. Since 1996, KaBOOM! has collaborated with partners to build, open or improve nearly 16,300 playgrounds, engaged more than one million volunteers and served 8.1 million kids. KaBOOM! creates great places to play, inspires communities to promote and support play, and works to drive the national discussion about the importance of play in fostering healthy and productive lives. To learn why #playmatters: visit kaboom.org or join the conversation at twitter.com/kaboom or facebook.com/kaboom.
The photo is also available via AP PhotoExpress.
