I recently received a press release from an organization working hard to curtail childhood obesity. I promised I'd help spread the word, so here goes. It's for a great cause and involves writing. 

NFL’s Buffalo Bills #99 Marcus Stroud and Team Tiger Foundation Announce “Sacking Obesity” Children’s Essay Contest

 More than 200 Kids’ Winning Essays Will Be Selected to Attend ‘Sacking Obesity’ Sports & Wellness Camp for Kids Saturday, April 16, 2011 at the Georgia Dome

Atlanta, GA  – Childhood obesity continues to plague our nation as the number of adolescents and children designated as overweight or obese rises to epidemic proportions. According to Georgia Children’s Health Alliance, a 2005 study showed more than 43 percent of Georgia’s third-graders are overweight or obese. To help combat this epidemic, NFL’s Buffalo Bills #99 starting defensive tackle Marcus Stroud and Team Tiger, a non-profit organization founded by 12-year-old Alpharetta resident Tiger Greene, have teamed up to present ‘Sacking Obesity: Sports and Wellness Camp” – an exciting sports and wellness camp for kids on Saturday, April 16, 2011 at the Georgia Dome.  

Contest rules and essay entry forms can be downloaded at www.marcusstroudcharitablefoundation.com or www.teamtiger2010.com. Students, ages 7 to 15, that fall into the national criteria for childhood obesity are eligible to enter the essay contest. Entrants will be asked to complete the official entry form along with an original essay of 75 words or more explaining why they want to attend the Sacking Obesity Wellness Camp.  Winning entries will be judged by the board of Team Tiger organization. Deadline for entries is March 10, 2011. Winning entries will be notified on March 15, 2011. 

On Friday, April 15, 2011, Marcus Stroud and Team Tiger will host the Marcus Stroud Charitable Foundation’s 2^nd annual Ball: “Casino Royale: Sacking Obesity” at the Ritz-Carlton in downtown Atlanta. All proceeds from the Gala, including ticket sales, corporate sponsorships and silent auction donations, will help provide camp scholarships for more than 200 kids selected with winning essays to participate in the Sacking Obesity camp to be held the following day at the Georgia Dome.

For more information, visit www.marcusstroudcharitablefoundation.com and www.teamtiger2010.com.