Kissmobiles to Visit Over 120 Cities to Raise Donations For Children's Hospitals

 
HERSHEY, Pa., Feb. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- What's longer than a limo, cooler than a cab, and bigger than a bus?  "America's Sweetest Rides" -- The Hershey's Kissmobiles!

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010213/NYFNSN01 )  

The Kissmobile Tour 2001 embarked on a yearlong charitable mission with a New York City Valentine's Day kickoff.  The tour has a special mission: to help raise donations and awareness for United States and Canadian children's hospitals and for Hershey's long-standing charity partner, the Children's Miracle Network (CMN).  Each of the two 25-foot long, 11-foot tall specialty vehicles resembles a row of three giant Hershey's Kisses chocolates.  See the web-site at http://www.kissmobile.com .

During 2001, the Hershey's Kissmobiles, each accompanied by two "Chocolate Ambassadors," will drive more than 100,000 miles, travel to more than 120 cities in the U.S. and Canada, stop in over 30 states, and visit with thousands of hospitalized kids in over 120 children's hospitals.

"Hershey's Kissmobile visits are enjoyed by both patients and staff members. Its arrival here provided a morning of fun and helped bring smiles to the faces of the many children we care for," said Malia Finnegan, Community Relations/Arts Coordinator for Children's Hospital & Health Center in San Diego.

At the various events and retail stops made during the 2001 tour the public will have the opportunity to purchase Kissmobile collectibles for a modest donation to CMN.  One hundred percent of the donations collected go directly to local children's hospitals affiliated with the Children's Miracle Network.

"The two Kissmobiles are very popular with kids of all ages," says Grace Thomas, Marketing Manager, Hershey Foods Corporation.  "They create huge smiles and memories that will last a lifetime."

The Kissmobile's Kid Center has something for everyone; a 45-inch big screen TV, a DVD player, and sound system complete with "Kissmobile Kids Karaoke," and a cockpit CD player and Public Address system with microphone.

Children visiting the Hershey's Kissmobile may play "The Great Kiss Race," a computer-animated racing game, see movies on how the Hershey's Kissmobile was created, learn how Hershey's Kisses chocolates are made, and play Kissmobile Trivia.

In addition to its technical wizardry, the Hershey's Kissmobiles' "Chocolate Ambassadors" share free Hershey's Hugs and Kisses chocolates with the public everywhere it goes.  Each Kissmobile has the capacity to store over a ton of chocolate or approximately 230,000 individual Hershey's Hugs and Kisses chocolates in the Hershey's Hugs refrigerated compartment.

CMN is an international, non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and funds for children's hospitals.  CMN is affiliated with more than 170 children's hospitals and hospital foundations in North America.  Its goal is to ensure that each hospital provides treatment to all children regardless of a family's financial status or ability to pay.

For the Hershey's Kissmobile Tour 2001 schedule and related questions visit the Kissmobile Web site at www.kissmobile.com or www.marketingwerks.com or call the Kissmobile Hotline at 1-888-499-KISS.

SOURCE  Hershey Foods Corporation   

CO:  Children's Miracle Network; Hershey Foods Corporation

ST:  Pennsylvania

IN:  FOD HEA MTC

SU:

02/13/2001 05:06 EST http://www.prnewswire.com