[Up]
[2005 Hurricane Katrina Support]
[2005 Rally for Relief]
[2005 Athletes Support Tsunami Victims]
[Silver Lining Ranch Foundation]
[Agassi, Bill Gates Xtreme III]
[2003 Swingtime]
[Kids First]
[2003 Andy Roddick Charity Extravaganza]
[2003EvertCeleb]
[Doublemint® Aces]
[2002 Swingtime]
[2001 Swingtime]
[2001 Chris Evert/Raymond James Tennis Classic]
[Agassi Grand Slam for Children]
[Recap Chris Evert 2000 Pro-Celeb]

Wrigley Partners with Venus and Serena Williams to Serve up Grants through Doublemint® Aces for Campus Excellence

August 2001 (Newstream) -- The Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company's (NYSE: WWY) Doublemint gum and tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams announced the launch of the Doublemint Aces for Campus Excellence (A.C.E.) grant program, which will highlight the distinctive contributions that young people make on campus and in communities.

The grant program puts 18-25 year-old college students and student service organizations in center court, providing them with the opportunity to showcase their unique approach to making a positive difference in their communities. The program will provide recognition to people involved in distinctive community service efforts, whether they are mentoring local students or painting murals to beautify their neighborhood.

"The Doublemint A.C.E. grant program is our way of honoring and rewarding college youth who have the motivation and commitment to improve their campuses and communities," said Rory Finlay, Senior Marketing Director for Wrigley. "As professional athletes and students themselves, Venus and Serena's motivation and commitment is evident both on and off the court - we feel they are the perfect partners to encourage and recognize students who help make their campuses and communities better places to live and learn."

Applications are available now at www.doublemint.com . To apply for a grant, applicants must submit their information with either an essay or a VHS tape demonstrating their distinctive volunteerism or philanthropy. Up to fifty $1,000 grants and one $10,000 grant will be awarded during the 2001-2002 grant program.

Venus and Serena will also be working hard on behalf of the grant recipients. Each grant recipient will be eligible to have his or her grant increased by an additional $100 for each service ace Venus or Serena hit during selected matches at WTA tournaments. The Williams sisters will also personally choose and then meet with the recipient of the $10,000 grant.

"Education has always been important to me and Serena," said Venus Williams, who is enrolled in design courses at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. "We are looking forward to learning about how our collegiate peers are making distinctive contributions on their campuses and in their communities."

"It's a pleasure to be part of the Doublemint A.C.E grant program since it recognizes people who go above and beyond their role as students," said Serena, also a design student. "We know the importance of education and giving back to the community. We are proud to be able to recognize others with the same dedication."

In conjunction with the launch of the Doublemint A.C.E. grant program, Wrigley is also unveiling its "Distinctively Doublemint" national print ad campaign featuring Venus and Serena. Ads will run in a variety of national magazines, and the Williams sisters will grab attention in larger-than-life building spectaculars and billboards throughout select cities nationwide, including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Miami, and Baltimore. The print ads may be viewed at www.doublemint.com in the Doublemint gum area or by clicking the following links:

"Venus & Serena" http://www.doublemint.com/images/print/serena_venus.jpg
"Venus" http://www.doublemint.com/images/print/venus.jpg
"Serena" http://www.doublemint.com/images/print/serena.jpg

The Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company is a recognized leader in the confectionery field and the world's largest manufacturer and marketer of chewing gum, with global sales of over $2 billion. Founded in 1891, the Company is headquartered in Chicago. Production facilities in 13 countries, operations in 34 countries and approximately 10,000 employees worldwide, enable the Company to market its world-famous brands in over 150 countries. Those brands, a couple of which have been :around for over 100 years, include Doublemint®, Wrigley's Spearmint®, Big Red®, Juicy Fruit®, Winterfresh®, Extra®, Freedent®, Hubba Bubba®, Orbit®, Excel®, Eclipse®, Airwaves® and P.K.®. The Company's success through the years has been based upon its solid foundation of talented people, quality products, widespread distribution, bold merchandising and effective advertising.

For more information on the Doublemint A.C.E. grant program, please visit www.doublemint.com.