Unilever Commits $500,000 to Fund Next Phase of America's Best Idea Grants

Unilever Commits $500,000 to Fund Next Phase of America's Best Idea Grants

Grant Program Helps Connect Underserved Communities and National Parks in Concert with Premiere of Ken Burns Film "The National Parks: America's Best Idea"

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Inspired by the Ken Burns documentary The National Parks: America's Best Idea, Unilever, one of the world's largest consumer products companies, announced at a ceremony this past Saturday in Washington, DC, a commitment of $500,000 to sponsor the next phase of the National Park Foundation's (NPF) "America's Best Idea" grant program.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090630/DC40408LOGO )

The Program connects underserved audiences to the national parks through digital storytelling and stewardship. The first phase of the innovative program was completed in early fall 2009, and helped build new connections between 35 national parks and their surrounding communities.

"Each of us as citizens is a part owner of the national parks. America's Best Idea -- both the film and the grant program -- is about reaching out to people who don't feel connected to the parks and bringing them into their own lands," said Neil Mulholland, president and CEO of the National Park Foundation. "Unilever's support of this project will help bring more Americans home to their parks and create a new generation of stewards for America's Best Idea."

Unilever has been a long time partner of the National Park Foundation, supporting initiatives designed to deliver sustainable solutions to infrastructure needs, educate youth, and support volunteer activities.

"Sustainability is at the heart of our commitment to America's National Parks," said Fiona C. Laird, SVP HR & Communications, Unilever Americas. "Supporting the America's Best Idea grants program helps protect and preserve our National Parks for future generations."

Parks participating in the grants program so far have ranged in location and size from Salem Maritime National Historic Park in Massachusetts, to Denali National Park in Alaska, to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii, and beyond. For information about the initial projects funded through America's Best Idea Grants, visit http://www.nationalparks.org/americas-best-idea/

The National Park Foundation is proud to be a core partner and funder of the new Ken Burns documentary series, The National Parks: America's Best Idea. The film chronicles a century of giving that created national parks from southern Florida to the frozen tundra of Alaska, from the rocky coast of Maine to the volcanic Hawaiian islands.

Premiering September 27th on PBS, the 12-hour, six-part documentary series traces the birth of the national park idea in the mid-1800s and follows its evolution for nearly 150 years. Told through the stories of the people who helped create them and save them from destruction, it is both a biography of compelling characters and of the American landscape.

About the National Park Foundation The National Park Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization chartered by Congress in 1967 to continue a century-long tradition of private philanthropy ensuring funding to preserve and enhance the legacy of our National Parks. As the official non-profit partner of America's National Parks, the National Park Foundation does not receive federal appropriations for their support. The National Park Foundation serves to strengthen the connection between the American people and their national parks by raising private funds, making strategic grants, creating innovative partnerships and increasing public awareness. Support of the National Park Foundation ensures that the evolving history and rich heritage of our Nation remains vital and relevant. Learn more at NPF's website, www.nationalparks.org

About Unilever

Unilever's mission is to add vitality to life. We meet everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care with brands that help people feel good, look good and get more out of life. Each day, around the world, consumers make 160 million decisions to purchase Unilever products.

In the United States, the portfolio includes major brand icons such as: Axe, Ben & Jerry's, Bertolli, Breyers, Caress, Country Crock, Degree, Dove personal care products, Hellmann's, Klondike, Knorr, Lipton, Popsicle, Promise, Q-Tips, Skippy, Slim-Fast, Suave, Sunsilk and Vaseline. All of the preceding brand names are registered trademarks of the Unilever Group of Companies. Dedicated to serving consumers and the communities where we live, work and play, Unilever employs nearly 12,000 people in both the United States and Puerto Rico -- generating nearly $10 billion in sales in 2008. For more information, visit www.unileverusa.com.

   Contact:   Mark Shields (mshields@nationalparks.org)   National Park Foundation   (202) 354-6480    Dean Mastrojohn   Unilever Media Relations   201-894-7760   MediaRelations.USA@unilever.com  

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Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090630/DC40408LOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

Source: National Park Foundation

CONTACT: Mark Shields, National Park Foundation, +1-202-354-6480,
mshields@nationalparks.org; Dean Mastrojohn, Unilever Media Relations,
+1-201-894-7760, MediaRelations.USA@unilever.com

Web Site: http://www.nationalparks.org/

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Profile: International Entertainment