BERKELEY, Calif., Aug. 3, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- One World Play Project and official sponsor Chevrolet today announced their continued commitment to providing play opportunities to youth worldwide. Chevrolet has pledged to continue supporting One World Play Project's donation and distribution of Chevrolet-branded One World Futbols—a breakthrough in technology, as the world's first and only ultra-durable soccer ball that never needs a pump or goes flat, even when punctured. Together, the partners will donate 2 million Chevrolet-branded One World Futbols by the end of 2018.
Chevrolet is an official sponsor of One World Play Project. To date, the partners have donated 1.5 million One World Futbols worldwide—impacting an estimated 45 million lives in 94 countries. The balls are being used in programs that provide education, teach essential life skills and encourage conflict resolution to youth living in disadvantaged areas.
An Extended Commitment: Paving the Play for the Future
One World Play Project and Chevrolet share a primary value—play. Together, the companies believe that play is universal and has the power to change lives. Chevrolet celebrates the power of play and its ability to spark new possibilities for children, adults and communities around the world. To date, Chevrolet has donated One World Futbols and revitalized pitches to provide children more opportunities to play in areas like Hammanskraal (South Africa); Chicago (USA); Bandung (Indonesia); Bangkok (Thailand); and Kolkata (India).
"Through our partnership with One World Play Project, we've been able to deliver play to millions of youth across the globe, and we're very much looking forward to extending our partnership and continuing to provide more opportunities for play to children everywhere," said John Gasloli, Chevrolet Global Marketing Senior Manager.
Research has shown that play is essential to the healthy physical, emotional and social development of children, especially those living in challenging environments. Deliveries of Chevrolet-branded One World Futbols are having a catalytic impact on communities around the world by bringing the power of play to youth living in areas where play is scarce or non-existent. Beyond the impact of the One World Futbol itself, One World Play Project is facilitating new public-private partnerships between governments, corporations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and nonprofit organizations. Working often in countries where conflict, natural disaster and poverty have torn apart the fabric of society, organizations that previously did not trust or know one another existed, or have had to compete for limited resources, are now collaborating on the planning for the arrival and distribution of One World Futbols.
"Over the last three years, Chevrolet has been a key partner in helping us deliver the transformative power of play to every corner of the globe," said Tim Jahnigen, founder of One World Play Project. "We are thrilled to continue growing our partnership and reach with this extended three-year commitment—highlighting our mission for helping our world's youth realize their full potential with the power of play."
Play has the ability to change lives in many different ways:
- One World Futbols were delivered to more than 160 schools in rural Hunan Province, China, bringing hope to children living in impoverished communities, inspiring them to persevere and overcome difficult circumstances.
- One World Futbols brought to orphanages and schools in the most rural regions of Thailand, where seven out of every 100 Thai children do not have parents to care for them, offered a source of joy and community for these children.
- One World Futbols helped transform a Chicago (USA) neighborhood associated with gang culture into a place where children can play and learn valuable life skills.
- In the most remote areas of Kenya, One World Futbols are helping girls find their voices in a place where women have few rights.
For more information about the Chevrolet and One World Play Project partnership, visit http://www.oneworldplayproject.com/partners/chevrolet/.
To see inspirational stories of how through play Chevrolet has transformed lives, visit www.ChevroletFC.com, like Chevrolet on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ChevroletFC, follow on Twitter @ChevroletFC or subscribe to the YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/ChevroletFC.
About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.9 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com. For more information on Chevrolet's commitment to football, please visit www.chevroletfc.com.
About One World Play Project
One World Play Project makes, sells and distributes products and services to enable play around the world, especially for those living in the harshest environments where play is nearly non-existent. The company is a B Corporation, harnessing the power of business for social good. Collaborating with sponsors, organizations and individuals, the company works to support, enable and expand the transformative power of play in all its forms—anywhere and everywhere. To date, One World Play Project has brought the power of play to more than 35 million youth worldwide.
Chevrolet is an official sponsor of One World Play Project, pledging to support the donation and distribution of 2 million Chevrolet-branded One World Futbols worldwide by December 2018.
One World Play Project is a Global Champion of Designed to Move, a call-to-action dedicated to ending the growing epidemic of physical inactivity. One World Play Project is headquartered in Berkeley, CA with regional offices in Asia, South America and Africa—and distribution centers in Fremont, CA and Voerde, Germany. For more information, visit oneworldplayproject.com or check out our community on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.
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