Mercedes-benz Boosts Support Of At-Risk Youth With $10.5 Million Grant To Laureus Sport For Good Foundation USA

Funding will assist Partnership for a Healthier America with goal of curbing childhood obesity

WASHINGTON -- Feb. 27, 2015: In 2012, more than one in three kids in the U.S. was overweight or obese, a rate that has more than doubled for children and quadrupled for adolescents in the past 30 years.* Today Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) joined forces with the Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) to advance the fight against this epidemic. At PHA's 2015 Building a Healthier Future Summit in Washington, D.C., the automaker announced a $10.5 million grant to the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation USA (Laureus USA), the leading foundation that uses the positive power of sport to tackle society's most pressing challenges.

MBUSA has been a supporter of Laureus USA since 2012, and together the two have played a huge role in the emergence of the U.S. sport for at-risk youth movement. The joint effort has encouraged and supported in-school and after-school programs that increase youth activity to fight obesity and teach good coaching and sportsmanship. MBUSA's support has reached over 140,000 kids in 30 cities to date. Its new grant will cover increased efforts and initiatives geared towards youth through 2017, impacting 125,000 kids annually in 25 cities.

"Investing in our youth and giving back to our local communities are integral to the culture at Mercedes-Benz USA," said Stephen Cannon, president and CEO of MBUSA. "Our ongoing collaboration and commitment to Laureus USA combines our passion for community and sports in a way that is making an impact. We look forward to continuing helping kids across the country build heathier futures."

Laureus USA Chairman Edwin Moses joined Cannon at the funding announcement during the Building a Healthier Future Summit. The Summit is one of the nation's premiere gatherings of health experts, policy makers and business and industry leaders committed to ending childhood obesity.

"The Laureus USA family and organization as a whole is honored and humbled to receive an incredibly generous grant from our dedicated and long-time supporter, MBUSA," said Moses. "These funds will help continue our efforts to build and support sustainable, resilient organizations that can impact the health, education and social outcomes of children nationwide."

Moses was joined at the summit by Laureus Ambassador and NBA Hall of Famer Alonzo Mourning. As a Laureus spokesman, Mourning supports and promotes Laureus USA's work around the world.

For more information about Laureus USA, please visit Laureus USA. For more information on PHA, visit A Healthier America.