National Parks America Tour Stops at Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island; M

    Philanthropy Writers/Travel Writers

    NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 2, 2005--Unilever:

WHO: Cynthia Garrett, Superintendent, Statue of Liberty National Monument/Ellis Island Alan Jope, Unilever Group Vice President and President of Home and Personal Care North America Mike Polk, Unilever Group Vice President and President of U.S. Foods Elected Officials, Wal-Mart Stores, National Park Foundation Take Pride in America and the Save Ellis Island Foundation Volunteers of all ages who want to revitalize one of America's National Parks! Service Credit Hours.

WHAT/WHY: National Parks America Tour event at Statue of Liberty National Monument/Ellis Island. Volunteer service to benefit Statue of Liberty National Monument/Ellis Island.

WHEN: Saturday, May 7, 2005 7:00 a.m. - 7:30 a.m.: Security Screening 8:30 a.m.: Breakfast and Ceremony 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Volunteer activities 12:30 p.m.: Great American Picnic

WHERE: Ellis Island Volunteers must arrive between 7:00 - 7:30 A.M. for Security Screening! Departures from Liberty State Park (New Jersey) and Battery Park (New York) Ferries depart from: Battery Park (Circle Line/South Ferry) 8:00 A.M. Liberty State Park (Circle Line Ferry) 8:10 A.M.

    Background: Global consumer product goods company, Unilever, a Proud Partner of America's National Parks and program sponsor, expects nearly 400 employees and their families to volunteer at the Statue of Liberty National Monument/Ellis Island National Parks America Tour event alongside New York-area volunteers, Wal-Mart Associates and local service groups. Fourteen critical service projects have been designated including Liberty Island walkway maintenance, fence painting, cleaning of the Wall of Honor, building snow fencing and painting the dock shack on Liberty Island. As part of its ongoing commitment to the Statue of Liberty National Monument/Ellis Island, The Tour will make a donation to the Save Ellis Island Foundation, the official non-profit partner dedicated to rescuing the thirty forgotten buildings on Ellis Island.
    Volunteers will receive free t-shirts and breakfast compliments of program sponsors Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and Unilever. The National Parks America Tour will salute America's Best--its volunteers, at the Great American Picnic at lunch time after the work activities. The Great American Picnic is hosted by Dove(R) body and skin care, Suave(R) hair care, Snuggle(R) fabric conditioner, Lever 2000(R) body wash, Hellmann's(R) mayonnaise, Wishbone(R) salad dressing, Lipton(R) Tea and Breyers(R) Ice Cream.
    The National Parks America Tour is projected to donate more than 100,000 volunteer manpower hours to the National Park Service resulting in an annual in-kind donation of $1.7 million.

Unilever's National Parks Commitment Greater New York Area Benefits from Headquarters Outreach -- Unilever is the longest-standing corporate partner and newest Proud Partner of America's National Parks, a commitment that spans twelve years and nearly $25 million in donations and support. Unilever's new Proud Partner commitment is expected to result in a historic fifteen-year, $50 million commitment to preserve and protect America's National Parks for future generations.

-- Headquartered in the New York area, Unilever has worked closely with the greater New York area National Parks on priority projects addressing sustainability, visitor enhancement, education and volunteer service - a commitment exceeding $625,000. Among Unilever's commitments to New York area National Parks are:

-- Weir Farm National Historic Site, Connecticut: Unilever became inaugural donor to build an Artist-in-Residence center at Weir Farm with a $50,000 discretionary grant. Unilever has donated sustainable lumber to Weir Farm to replace a historic footbridge, underwritten two Art Auction Galas benefiting the Weir Farm Trust, hosted two National Parks America Tour volunteer events at Weir Farm and sponsored the J. Alden Weir Exhibit and Catalog at the Parish Museum in Greenwich, CT. Total Commitment exceeds $190,000.

-- Gateway National Recreation Area, New York and New Jersey: Unilever has provided sustainable lumber to build a bird watching tower at Fort Tilden; Recycling at Work Sustainable Grants for boardwalk construction and lighthouse refurbishment at Fort Hancock; hosted National Parks America Tour events at Sandy Hook and is piloting a Healthy Parks-Healthy Living program with the Jamaica Bay Unit. Total Commitment exceeds $200,000.

-- Statue of Liberty Ellis Island National Monument: Unilever awarded a discretionary grant to resurface the Shuttle Dock at Liberty Island with sustainable lumber; hosted a National Parks America Tour event with more than 400 Unilever employees and their families and a discretionary grant to the Save Ellis Island Foundation. Total Commitment: $100,000.

-- Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area: Unilever awarded the Delaware Water Gap a Recycling at Work Sustainable Grant. Total Commitment: $27,000.

-- New Jersey Coastal Historical Trail Route: Recycling at Work Sustainable Grant. Total Commitment exceeds $26,000.

-- Fire Island National Seashore: Recycling at Work Sustainable Grants awarded for the Watch Hill Trail improvements. Total Commitment exceeds $75,000.

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CONTACT: NPS Frank Mills, 917-846-2834 or Unilever Jennifer Stalzer, 201-894-7762 or Tour Director Susan Tatum, 843-795-9292

KEYWORD: NEW YORK INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HUMAN RESOURCES TRANSPORTATION TRAVEL CONSUMER/HOUSEHOLD RETAIL PRODUCT ADVISORY SOURCE: Unilever

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