Russell Simmons' Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation and Procter & Gamble Celebrate the Completion of Nationwide Arts Project

CINCINNATI, Feb. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Procter & Gamble's (NYSE: PG) Bounty brand welcomed youth from Artworks Cincinnati today to complete the nationwide Building Bounty-ful Bridges arts project. The brand joined forces with hip-hop mogul and entrepreneur Russell Simmons' Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation at P&G headquarters with its executives to encourage art education among youth.

(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100204/NY50187 )

This hometown stop in Cincinnati culminates the nationwide effort and partnership with Rush Philanthropic's Building Bounty-ful Bridges arts project. Youth groups from six cities, including New York, Chicago, New Orleans, Washington D.C., San Francisco and Cincinnati were able to showcase their creativity by depicting a bridge in their community, thereby connecting children and art across the country.

"Bringing this project home to Cincinnati means a great deal to P&G," said Raj Pudipeddi, Procter & Gamble Marketing Director, Bounty. "The partnership Bounty has with Rush Philanthropic in promoting creative activities among youth and learning by doing outside the classroom supports the brand's purpose of making life more hands on."

P&G executives took the opportunity to join Artworks Cincinnati, a group that provides meaningful employment and training in the arts for Greater Cincinnati youth, and artist Amanda Williams in completing one last mural showcasing Bounty's mission to provide children with hands-on activities that help to nurture their imagination and curiosity.

"Working with America's youth is my passion," said Rush Philanthropic Teaching Artist Amanda Williams, who designed the Building Bounty-ful Bridges mural in collaboration with Rush Philanthropic Director of Education Meridith McNeal. "I am grateful for Bounty and Rush Philanthropic for giving me this opportunity to work with children from across the country to help them understand the impact that art and creativity can have upon their lives."

As Bounty looks into building future programs, the brand hopes to extend the partnership with Rush Philanthropic in efforts to continue to promote youth arts education and expression.

For more information on Bounty's partnership with Rush Philanthropic and fun, at-home art activities, visit www.bountymakeamessterpiece.com.

About Bounty

Bounty has been America's most popular paper towel for over 30 years.  In the U.S., P&G offers the following premium two-ply paper towel products: Bounty Select-a-Size; Bounty White; Bounty Extra Soft; and Bounty Fun Prints.  Additionally, P&G offers Bounty Basic, a quality one-ply paper towel as well Bounty Quilted Napkins. For more information on Bounty, visit www.quickerpickerupper.com.

About Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation

Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation is dedicated to providing underserved urban youth with significant exposure and access to the arts, and to offering exhibition opportunities for underrepresented artists and artists of color.  Rush was founded in 1995 by three brothers: Danny Simmons, visual artist and community builder; media mogul Russell Simmons; and Joseph "Rev. Run" Simmons of the legendary hip-hop group Run-DMC.  Their goal was to fill the gap that poor and minorities face in both accessing the arts and exhibition opportunities.  Over the past 14 years, Rush has developed a broad base of friends, collaborators and supporters dedicated to addressing these issues. In addition to the 2,000 students served each year in its education programs, Rush exhibits the work of 40 to 50 emerging and community-based artists in its galleries; welcomes over 10,000 gallery visitors; distributes grants to nonprofit arts organizations in NYC and South Florida; and provides unique opportunities for young people interested in careers in the arts.  Rush currently operates galleries and arts education programs in Chelsea (Manhattan) on West 26th Street and Clinton Hill (Brooklyn) on Grand Avenue.  Rush Education Programs are designed to inspire students, provide positive alternatives to high-risk behaviors, and support increased academic performance.

About Procter & Gamble [NYSE: PG]

Three billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around the world. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers®, Tide®, Ariel®, Always®, Whisper®, Pantene®, Mach3®, Bounty®, Dawn®, Gain®, Pringles®, Charmin®, Downy®, Lenor®, Iams®, Crest®, Oral-B®, Actonel®, Duracell®, Olay®, Head & Shoulders®, Wella®, Gillette®, Braun® and Fusion®. The P&G community includes approximately 135,000 employees working in about 80 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.

SOURCE Bounty/P&G