Jennifer Lopez Unveils 'BE EXTRAORDINARY' Billboard in Times Square, Joins Boys & Girls Clubs Youth Advocacy Campaign

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Jun 09, 2010, 04:28 ET

Boys & Girls Club Alumna Joins Superstar Lineup, Including Denzel Washington, Shaquille O'Neal, Martin Sheen, Usher, Mario Lopez, Ne-Yo, Ashanti, Gen. Wesley Clark, Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Jimmy Rollins in Boys & Girls Clubs of America's "BE GREAT" National Advocacy Campaign

NEW YORK, June 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is being issued by Boys & Girls Clubs of America:

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20050921/CLW030LOGO)

When: Billboard Unveiling, 11:00 a.m., Thursday, June 10, 2010

Where: Duffy Square, Broadway and 47th Street, New York City

What: As part of Boys & Girls Clubs of America's (BGCA) BE GREAT youth advocacy campaign, entertainment superstar and Boys & Girls Club alumna Jennifer Lopez (J LO) will unveil a new billboard featuring her childhood picture and the inspirational message – BE EXTRAORDINARY. Ms. Lopez joins some 25 prominent Club alumni in BGCA's campaign to increase public awareness about the serious issues facing today's young people, and send a call-to-action, urging every American to help young people BE GREAT.

Ms. Lopez's BE EXTRAORDINARY ads are part of the BE GREAT brand campaign created for BGCA by pro bono agency McCann Erickson San Francisco. The campaign's out-of-home component is made possible by BGCA's partnership with the Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA). The J LO billboards in New York City are made available courtesy of Clear Channel Spectacolor, Lamar, and American Eagle.

Why: From academic failure and gang violence to poverty, drugs and obesity, America's youth face a daunting array of problems – with serious consequences and fewer safety nets at home and in the community. Boys & Girls Clubs of America is committed to addressing these issues – and challenging our nation to support effective solutions. According to a 2007 Harris survey, 57 percent of Boys & Girls Club alumni reported, "The Club saved my life," while 28 percent credited the Club with keeping them in school.

About J LO: An alumnus of the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club in the Bronx, Jennifer learned to sing and dance as a member of the Club's renowned "K Company" performing arts program. From that early start, she has become one of the most successful, multi-talented performers on the planet. In addition to making her mark as a singer, dancer and actress, she is a successful businesswoman, as well as the proud mother of twins.

About BGCA: For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.org) has enabled young people, especially those who need Clubs most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, some 4,000 Boys & Girls Clubs serve more than 4 million youth through Club membership and community outreach, providing guidance-oriented programs emphasizing academic success, character and leadership development, community service, and healthy lifestyles.

SOURCE Boys & Girls Clubs of America