Nathan's Famous Celebrates Play with Donation to Arizonans for Children

LISLE, Ill., March 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Nathan's Famous brought a taste of Coney Island to Arizonans for Children in Phoenix 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.

Those involved with Arizonans for Children were treated to a Coney Island-themed afternoon. Nathan's Famous brought its mobile tour to Arizonans for Children's headquarters where children enjoyed carnival games such as pop-a-shot and skee-ball, a miniature three-horse carousal, a Zoltar® Fortune Teller coupon machine and, most of all, Nathan's Famous Premium Beef Hot Dogs.

Commemorating the achievements of Arizonans for Children, Nathan's Famous surprised Annie Ansell, executive director of the organization, with a Fry's Food Stores gift card worth $1,000 towards the purchase of groceries, courtesy of Nathan's Famous.  

"Receiving $1,000 from Nathan's Famous was an incredible surprise that will help offset costs associated with the various programs that we have here in Phoenix for the kids," said Ansell. "This was so unexpected! We thought Nathan's Famous was only bringing the mobile experience but now having the opportunity to visit Fry's Food Stores for groceries will be an extraordinary help, especially as we have cooking classes seven days a week to teach our kids how to cook. It's about teaching youths, as they age out of foster care, to be independent when they turn 18. It's critical that they learn to cook healthy meals and stay active."

In addition to the groceries donation, Nathan's Famous also surprised one foster family with a VIP experience to Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway. The experience included tickets to the race, a special behind-the-scenes tour of the garage and pits, and a goodie-bag filled with Nathan's Famous and Richard Petty Motorsports branded items.

"We believe balanced, active play is important for children and their development, and Arizonans for Children exemplifies what a community organization should be all about," 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."

Arizonans for Children exists to facilitate opportunities and provide effective solutions to alleviate hardships and improve the fragile lives of the abused, abandoned, and neglected children in foster care.

KaBOOM! is no stranger to Arizonans for Children, or Phoenix for that matter. KaBOOM! has built two playgrounds for the organization specifically, and 23 others within the city limits.

Nathan's Famous was founded just outside New York City in one of the original places of fun, Coney Island, so it is a brand that at its core is about fun, family and community.

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 480 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 $14 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®, Gwaltney®, John Morrell®, Kretschmar®, Curly's®, Carando®, Margherita®, 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 bringing balanced and active play into the daily lives of all kids, particularly those growing up in poverty in America. Since 1996, KaBOOM! has collaborated with partners to build, open or improve nearly 16,000 playgrounds, engaged more than one million volunteers and served 7.4 million children. 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 lives and communities. To learn why #playmatters: visit kaboom.org or join the conversation at twitter.com/kaboom or facebook.com/kaboom.

About Richard Petty Motorsports
A performance and marketing driven company, Richard Petty Motorsports, co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty and successful business entrepreneur Andrew Murstein, is one of the most recognized brands in all of motorsports. With a history of over 200 wins and business partnerships with national and global leaders, today the race operation fields two teams in competition in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Aric Almirola pilots the famous No. 43 Ford Fusion with primary partners Smithfield Foods, U.S. Air Force, STP, Strike Ten Entertainment and Fresh From Florida, and Sam Hornish, Jr. drives the No. 9 machine with primary partner Twisted Tea. In addition, Dakoda Armstrong wheels the No. 43 WinField Ford Mustang full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. The team is headquartered in Mooresville, N.C.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150312/181259 

SOURCE Nathan's Famous

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