PARTNERSHIP PARTNERS WITH PAPA JOHN’S PIZZA

For Immediate Release
July 2, 2008

GREENSBORO, NC – Partnership for a Drug-Free NC and Papa John’s Pizza are trying to combat kids’ curiosity about drugs and alcohol by teaming up to encourage parents to talk to children about substance abuse.

“We know summertime is the time of year when kids are most unsupervised because they’re out of school, but parents aren’t necessarily home all the time,” says Partnership’s C.E.O., Bert Wood.

For the months of July and August, fifteen Papa John’s stores will feature the message “Meal time is a good time to talk to your kids about drugs,” on box tops. The plan is to empower parents to have conversations with children about the dangers of substance abuse in a non-threatening environment.

“If you wait until someone else talks to your child about alcohol or drugs, then it’s too late,” says Wood. “It’s scary. We know kids start experimenting with alcohol at age 12 and with marijuana at age 13.”

Chris Titshaw, the Director of Operations for Papa John’s in Greensboro, says, “It’s out there. It’s reality. All we can do is have these conversations, prepare the kids, and hope they make the right choices.”

Papa John’s Pizza in the Greensboro area invested an additional $10,000 with Partnership for a Drug-Free NC and Dick Broadcasting to run substance abuse education public service announcements on triad radio stations. Theo Davis Printing in Zebulon, NC also contributed its services making possible the distribution of 120,000 box toppers, extending through the heart of the summer and the back-to-school rush.

Download: 18_Papa_Johns_Release.doc

PARTNERSHIP OFFERS EXCLUSIVE TICKETS TO MEET HOLLYWOOD STAR KEVIN COSTNER

For Immediate Release
June 17, 2008

DURHAM, NC – For the first time in twenty years famed Hollywood leading man, Kevin Costner, will return to North Carolina to celebrate Independence Day at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

You can have a chance to meet the legendary star at an exclusive meet and greet on July 4th. Passes to this once-in-a-lifetime event are on sale now to the public. All proceeds from Costner’s visit will go help substance abuse prevention and awareness in North Carolina. Visit www.drugfreenc.org or www.durhambulls.com now to get your tickets. They are only available until June 30th.

Costner and his band, Modern West, will provide a concert preceding the City of Durham’s annual fireworks extravaganza.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the wildly popular movie “Bull Durham.” In the film Costner starred as Crash Davis, an aging catcher sent to Durham to work with a hot pitching prospect.

Kevin Costner has enjoyed an illustrious career in film spanning three decades, leaving his mark through movies like “The Untouchables,” “No Way Out,” “Bull Durham,” “Field of Dreams,” “Dances With Wolves,” “The Bodyguard,” “JKF,” and “Open Range.” Costner’s newest flick, “Swing Vote,” will hit theaters in August.

Download: 17_Costner_Auction.doc

PARTNERSHIP BRINGS YOU KEVIN COSTNER AND FIREWORKS FOR A FAMILY FRIENDLY 4TH

For Immediate Release
June 9, 2008

DURHAM, NC – For the first time in twenty years famed Hollywood leading man, Kevin Costner, will return to North Carolina to celebrate Independence Day at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

Costner and his band, Modern West, will provide a concert preceding the City of Durham’s annual fireworks extravaganza.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the wildly popular movie “Bull Durham.” In the film Costner starred as Crash Davis, an aging catcher sent to Durham to work with a hot pitching prospect.

Partnership for a Drug-Free NC, headquartered in Winston-Salem, NC, is a presenting co-sponsor of the event to provide a family-friendly alternative for a 4th of July celebration. “The Fourth of July is a great time for music, fireworks and family time. It is also a great opportunity for families to discuss health lifestyles and drug-free choices,” says Partnership’s C.E.O., Bert Wood.

"We're proud to work with Partnership for a Drug-Free NC to raise awareness about substance abuse and living a drug free life," Jon Bishop, Assistant General Manager of the Durham Bulls said.

“Partnership has been honored to work with the Durham Bulls and the City of Durham in this effort. This is great partnership around healthy activities and is an opportunity to increase awareness about drug abuse. When communities and families have these discussions, then young people make healthy choices,” Wood continued.

In the coming days, Partnership will hold a special auction for VIP tickets and a chance to meet Kevin Costner. Proceeds will go to substance abuse prevention in North Carolina. Visit www.durhambulls.com for ticket sales and information on the July 4th event.

Kevin Costner has enjoyed an illustrious career in film spanning three decades, leaving his mark through movies like “The Untouchables,” “No Way Out,” “Bull Durham,” “Field of Dreams,” “Dances With Wolves,” “The Bodyguard,” “JKF,” and “Open Range.” Costner’s newest flick, “Swing Vote,” will hit theaters in August.

Download: 15_Family_Friendly_4th_with_Costner.doc