Pan American Games Teams up with Children International, a U.S. Charity, to Help Poor Children in Mexico

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Oct. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Children International, a U.S.-based humanitarian organization working in Mexico, has been named the Pan American Games' sole charity partner.

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"Sponsored children through Children International are leading the Pan Am Games as a symbol of identity to future generations of Mexicans. We are proud to partner with an organization that is changing the lives of children through sports," said Jose Gallegos, director of Children International-Mexico.

Children International was selected as the charity partner since both organizations share similar missions. Children International helps impoverished children become healthy, confident, self-reliant adults through access to health care, education, and skills formation through programs like sports. The mission of the Organizing Committee of the Pan American Games Guadalajara 2011 is to strengthen sports infrastructure in Mexico through the construction of new sports facilities which will serve as training centers for the next generation of athletes.

As part of the partnership, children and youth participating in Children International's sports programs will be able to play organized sports in the new arenas. Children International's sports programs include Game On! Youth Sports, created by the International Alliance for Youth Sports (IAYS). Game On! offers training and guidance to youth sports leaders in an outdoor classroom setting. Much like the mission of the Pan American Games, Game On! strives to increase youth participation in sports as well as training volunteers and improving sports infrastructure.  

Children International provides support to over 14,000 poor children in Mexico and over 212,000 throughout Latin America.  

The Pan American Games XVI are taking place in Guadalajara, Mexico, from October 14 through October 31. The games will host 10,000 athletes from across Latin America who are participating in 35 sports.

About Children International:

Established in 1936, Children International is a humanitarian organization with its headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri. Children International's programs help more than 340,000 children and their families in 11 countries around the world including Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Zambia, Honduras, India, the Philippines and the United States. For more information about Children International or to sponsor a child, visit www.children.org

FOR MORE INFORMATION:                      
Dolores Quinn Kitchin                      
Public Relations                      
Children International                      
Direct:  (816) 943-3730                      
Cell:  (816) 718-0711                      
Email:  [email protected]                      
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SOURCE Children International