Michael "Pinball" Clemons Foundation continues commitment to education

News provided by

Michael "Pinball" Clemons Foundation

Feb 27, 2014, 12:39 ET

- WE|U|NIGHT presented by RBC is a fundraising event whose goal is to build 100 new schools for international charity Free The Children -

TORONTO, Feb. 27, 2014 /CNW/ - Tonight, The Michael "Pinball" Clemons Foundation (MPCF) is committing to building another 100 schools in developing communities around the world with international charity and educational partner Free The Children. To date, MPCF has raised enough funds to build more than 160 schools and school rooms through Free The Children's holistic and sustainable Adopt a Village development model.

Tonight's event - at 11 Duncan Street, Toronto, STORYS Building (7-9:30 pm) - will announce an exciting line-up of speakers and performers for the WE|U|NIGHT event, presented by RBC on May 8, 2014. This evening donors and friends of MPCF will be provided the opportunity to learn more about their commitment that gives young people overseas the chance to change their lives through education.

"The Foundation's goal is to uplift and empower the most disenfranchised youth at home and across the globe," says Michael 'Pinball' Clemons.

"RBC is excited to partner with the Michael 'Pinball' Clemons Foundation and Free The Children as they create a night to remember in support of children's education," says Jennifer Tory, Regional President, RBC Greater Toronto Region. "Like RBC, they believe that when you believe in kids anything is possible."

"That's why I'm so excited about WE|U|NIGHT because it brings together iconic Canadians - the Kielburger brothers; an iconic company - Royal Bank of Canada; and an iconic cause - providing education to youth in some of the most challenged communities in the world," adds Clemons.

Through the support of MPCF, Free The Children will be able to help thousands of children in Adopt a Village communities around the world gain access to education and provide them with the tools, knowledge and skills necessary to create a brighter future for themselves, their families and their communities.

"Education is the greatest investment towards ending poverty in the world," says Craig Kielburger, co-founder of Free The Children. "The support of philanthropic leader Michael Clemons and MPCF, along with the generosity of RBC, will allow us to open the doors to education for students around the world, providing them with the chance to become leaders in their communities, and lead productive, successful lives."

Tonight's WE|U|NIGHT speakers include:

  • Michael "Pinball" Clemons - CFL Hall of Famer, Vice Chair of the Toronto Argonauts, co-founder of MPCF
  • Craig Kielburger - co-founder of Free The Children
  • Ann Sandy - Director Marketing and Communications, RBC Greater Toronto Region
  • Adam Capes - G2G Collection

Tonight's attending celebrity guests include:

Bob McCown - Host, Prime Time Sports
Damon Allen - CFL Hall of Fame Quarterback
Farley Flex - Impresario, Social Activist, Master Mentor
Jennifer Valentyne - Host, Breakfast Television
Karl Wolf - Multi SOCAN award winner, Juno nominated recording artist and song writer
Kevin Eiben - CFL Alumni, Grey Cup Champion 2004
Matt Black - Toronto Argonauts, Grey Cup Champion 2012
Sean Jones - Juno award winning R&B Recording artist
Wayne Smith - NFL Alumni, CFL Toronto Argonauts, Grey Cup Champion 2012

For more information on WE|U|NIGHT www.itfactor.biz/WeUNight

For more information on MPCF www.mpcf.ca

For more information on Free The Children visit www.freethechildren.com or follow at:

ABOUT MPCF

The Michael "Pinball" Clemons Foundation (MPCF) was founded in 2006 by co-founders Michael "Pinball" Clemons and Natasha Borota. MPCF has been fulfilling the dreams of youth in under-resourced communities in our backyard as well as around the world. Through fundraising and awareness campaigns, they assist those locally with the dream of home ownership; support students with scholarships for higher education; and provide computers to youths in priority neighborhoods to mention a few ongoing initiatives.

ABOUT FREE THE CHILDREN

Free The Children is an international charity and educational partner. Founded in 1995 by international activist Craig Kielburger, Free The Children believes in a world where young people are free to achieve their fullest potential, and empowers youth to remove barriers that prevent them from being active local and global citizens. The organization's domestic programs - which include We Day, Free The Children's signature youth empowerment event - educate, engage and empower 2.3 million youth across North America and UK become engaged global citizens. Its international projects are implemented through a holistic and sustainable development model called Adopt a Village.  Currently, Adopt a Village supports community development in eight countries; Kenya, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Ecuador, Haiti, Nicaragua, rural China and India.  Through its international programming, Free The Children has brought more than 650 schools and school rooms to youth and provided clean water, health care and sanitation to 1 million people around the world, freeing children and their families from the cycle of poverty.

The organization has received the World's Children's Prize for the Rights of the Child, the Human Rights Award from the World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations, and has formed successful partnerships with leading school boards and Oprah's Angel Network. For more information, visit www.freethechildren.com

Image with caption: "WE U NIGHT (CNW Group/Michael "Pinball" Clemons Foundation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140227_C7919_PHOTO_EN_37264.jpg

SOURCE: Michael "Pinball" Clemons Foundation

For further information:

Joe Roma, representing the Michael "Pinball" Clemons Foundation
416-705-1723
[email protected]

Organization Profile

Michael "Pinball" Clemons Foundation