OAK BROOK, IL--(Marketwire - March 9, 2011) - The McDonald's (
Listed in alphabetical order, these POWERADE Jam Fest judges will preside over the slam dunk competition:
- Ernie Banks, baseball Hall of Famer who played for the Chicago Cubs
- Ramonski Luv, "The Real Show," V103
- Kenny McReynolds, five-time Emmy Award-winning broadcaster, WCIU/ME-TV
- Greg Olsen, Chicago Bears tight end
- Jim Rose, WLS-TV sports anchor
- Lovie Smith, head coach of the Chicago Bears
In 2011, the Jam Fest also welcomes 18-year-old guest judge Andy Carpenter from Crown Point, Ind., whose life was positively impacted by Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana. Andy was diagnosed with leukemia at age three and spent many nights with his family at a local Ronald McDonald House. This June, he will graduate from high school and plans to attend college. Andy, who has a love for basketball and plays on a wheelchair basketball team, still frequents a local Ronald McDonald House as a volunteer.
Jam Fest alumni represent some of top names in the NBA and WNBA. Previous dunk contest winners include Blake Griffin (2007), Candace Parker (2004), LeBron James (2003), Carmelo Anthony (2002), Baron Davis (1997), and Vince Carter (1995).
The qualifying competitions begin March 28 at 5:30 p.m. CT, and the finals will air live at 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN2. Tickets for the POWERADE Jam Fest are available on TicketWeb or by calling 1-866-909-GAME.
Proceeds from the 2011 POWERADE Jam Fest and McDonald's All American High School Basketball Games will go to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana. The chapter will use those funds to help build the nation's largest Ronald McDonald House® in downtown Chicago. Millions of dollars have been raised for Ronald McDonald House Charities and its local Chapters since the first Game was played in 1978. Every athlete who participates in the McDonald's All American Games will visit the host city's local Ronald McDonald House to experience first-hand how the Games impact the local community.
About McDonald's
McDonald's USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome food made from quality ingredients to more than 26 million customers every day. Nearly 90 percent of McDonald's 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local business men and women. Customers can now log online for free Wi-Fi at any of the 11,000 participating Wi-Fi enabled McDonald's U.S. restaurants. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter (@McDonalds) and Facebook (Facebook.com/McDonalds) for updates on our business, promotions and products.
About Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana
The mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana (RMHC®-CNI) is to improve the health, well-being and education of children through our core programs. Our four Houses provide a "home away from home" to keep families together. The Houses allow families to eat, sleep and find the emotional support they need -- just blocks from where their child is being treated. To continue our mission of serving families in crisis, RMHC-CNI is building a new Ronald McDonald House -- the largest in the nation -- in Chicago. Due to open in 2012 at 211 East Grand in Streeterville, the Ronald McDonald House near Lurie Children's will provide 14-stories of care and comfort, including 86 guest rooms, a rooftop healing deck and a kitchen filled with home-cooked meals and supportive conversation. In addition, our nine family sleep rooms within Lurie Children's will give parents an opportunity to refresh and replenish steps away from the neonatal intensive care unit.
For more information visit: www.RonaldHouseChicago.com.
© 2011 McDonald's
Contact Information:
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Tony Balasandiran
Flowers Communications Group
312-228-8821
tbalasandiran@flowerscomm.com