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ENRON AND THE HOUSTON ASTROS HIT A HOME RUN
FOR BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, April 1, 1997
HOUSTON--Enron Corp. and the Houston Astros are teaming up with a new "Enron Power Blast" program to benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the official charity of Major League Baseball.
The "Enron Power Blast" will work as follows: for every home run hit by the Astros during the 1997 regular season, Enron will contribute $1,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs in the respective city where the home run is hit. For every grand slam hit by the Astros, Enron will contribute $5,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
"Enron Power Blast" home run donations are earmarked to enable young people to participate in activities at the local Clubs. Boys & Girls Clubs of America estimates it takes approximately $250 to sponsor a child for a full year of program activities. Each home run means that four more children will be welcomed for services at the Boys & Girls Clubs.
It is estimated that some 700 children will benefit from the "Enron Power Blast" based on the Astros 1996 season totals, where 129 home runs were hit, of which 60 were hit in Houston. The money raised in Houston will be slated to build a youth Baseball Park at the new Boys & Girls Club located at 5950 Selinski in south Houston, with the balance used to sponsor even more young people in the local Houston-area Clubs.
The national scope of the "Enron Power Blast" program provides Enron with the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children in 15 Major League cities across the country and in Canada. In addition to Houston home games, the Astros will play in Atlanta, Chicago, Cincinnati, Denver, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, San Diego, San Francisco and Montreal.
"This partnership is truly special because it touches lives in such a meaningful way," said Drayton McLane, Astros chairman and CEO. "We're proud to be teammates with Enron as we work together to provide innovative programs that begin in Houston, but have impact far beyond our city. The real winner of every Astros game this season is clear: Boys & Girls Clubs of America, with the help of Enron and our great players."
"We are excited to partner with the Astros to provide more opportunities for young people across America to join such a great organization as the Boys & Girls Clubs," said Kenneth L. Lay, chairman and CEO of Enron. "We are proud to sponsor the 'Enron Power Blast' starting tonight and look forward to a great season by the Astros."
"The financial commitment by Enron and the Houston Astros to support Boys & Girls Clubs of America is a prime example of how the business and sports communities can team up to help America's youth," said Rick Goings, Boys & Girls Clubs of America chairman. "Thanks to the 'Enron Power Blast' initiative, hundreds of at-risk kids will have a safe place to go, everyday, with caring adults and positive programs that work."
Boys & Girls Clubs of America comprises a national network of 1,976 neighborhood-based facilities annually serving some 2.6 million young people, primarily from disadvantaged circumstances. Known as "The Positive Place for Kids," the Clubs provide guidance-oriented character development programs on a daily basis for children 6-18 years old, conducted by a full-time trained professional staff. Key Boys & Girls Club programs emphasize educational achievement, career exploration, drug and alcohol avoidance, health and fitness, gang and violence prevention, cultural enrichment, leadership development and community service.
Enron Corp., one of the world's largest integrated natural gas and electricity companies with approximately $16 billion in assets, operates one of the largest natural gas transmission systems in the world; is the largest purchaser and marketer of natural gas and the largest non-regulated marketer of electricity in North America; markets natural gas liquids worldwide; manages the largest portfolio of fixed-price natural gas risk management contracts in the world; is among the leading entities arranging new capital to the energy industry; owns a majority interest in Enron Oil & Gas company, one of the largest independent (non-integrated) exploration and production companies in the United States; owns a majority interest in Enron Global Power and Pipelines L.L.C., which is owner and manager of operating power plants and natural gas pipelines around the world; is one of the largest independent developers and producers of electricity in the world; and is a major supplier of solar and wind renewable energy worldwide. Enron is traded under the ticker symbol, "ENE."
For additional information please contact:
Kristin Rankin
(713) 853-6374
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