United Spinal Association and PepsiCo introduced the fun-filled and exciting experience of adaptive sports to children with disabilities during PepsiCo’s 2nd annual “Kids Sports Spectacular” event held on October 23rd at the company’s World Headquarters in Purchase, NY.

Hosted by PepsiCo’s enAble Advisory Committee, which promotes inclusion and focuses on an individual’s abilities rather than their disabilities, the event brought together local school children and staff from UCP of Westchester, Isaac Young Boces, and Rye Lake Campus BOCES for a morning of sports-related activities and games.

United Spinal and PepsiCo staff offered instruction in a variety of adaptive sports including basketball, softball, tennis, and hand cycling, to teach the importance of self-esteem, teamwork, and friendship. Volunteers from Abilities Beyond Disabilities, an organization that represents adults living with a developmental disability, also provided support and encouragement to the children throughout the day.

“We are proud to collaborate with PepsiCo in making Kids Sports Spectacular such a great success. Having an opportunity to show kids of all abilities that they can succeed in life through sports, is a truly worthwhile mission, and one in which we share with PepsiCo. We hope to continue this rewarding partnership for future events” said Marlene Perkins, United Spinal Association vice president of Corporate Outreach and Gifts.

During the day’s festivities, participants had a chance to try out all the different sports while staff and volunteers cheered them on, dance and sing to music provided by the Kids Sports Spectacular MC, help perform magic tricks, and get their faces painted by “Tiny” the clown.

Participant George Jordan, who attended last year’s event said he was happy to be back. “I had a great time and I want to thank everyone for bringing me here today. Trying out the hand cycles was so much fun,” he said.

“I want to express my thanks to everyone involved in putting this great event together. It really does a lot for the kids,” added Tony Costa, facilitator at IsaacYoung Boces.

The event concluded with lunch and a trophy ceremony where special guest speaker Massimo F. d’Amore, chief executive officer of PepsiCo Americas Beverages, thanked all attendees and participating schools. “We picked a perfect day to have this event. It is a privilege to host Kids Sports Spectacular on our campus and celebrate our different abilities. We will have plenty of opportunities to be together again in the future,” d’Amore said.

Lynda Costa, who manages PepsiCo’s enAble network, said partnering with disability organizations such as United Spinal Association to drive diversity and inclusion is an important component in helping the company address disability-related issues and identify best practices in marketing, packaging, and communications. “This is just the second year we have hosted Kids Sports Spectacular but we hope to make it even bigger and better in the future. Our staff always looks forward to participating in this event and it brings us all together on a common platform that transcends age, race, and religion. EnAble is a small part of what PepsiCo is doing to promote diversity and inclusion. We have approximately 10 Diversity and Inclusion networks that address issues facing many different groups of people.”

PepsiCo Diversity and Inclusion networks include African Americans, Latinos/Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans, Women, Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender, Women of Color, Support Team/Non-exempt, and the EnAble network. Since September 2005, United Spinal has partnered with the enAble network, to advise, train, and consult PepsiCo staff on accessibility-related matters and promote diversity, inclusion, and disability awareness. On March 27-29, 2007, United Spinal participated in PepsiCo’s first annual MultiCultural Inclusion Summit that brought together more than 500 of PepsiCo’s senior management staff and personnel from around the world. Conducting two workshops over the course of the three-day event, United Spinal staff had the opportunity to address attendees on the issue of disability etiquette and interacting with people of varying abilities, including spinal cord injuries and mobility and visual impairments.

The EnAble team recently demonstrated the spirit of inclusion by producing and starring in “Bob’s House,” a silent television commercial that appeared on the FOX network’s pre-game show for Super Bowl XLII and was the first-ever to showcase people using American Sign Language.

To read more about PepsiCo’s commitment to diversity and inclusion throughout its history, please visit http://www.pepsico.com/PEP_Diversity/timeline/index.cfm.

About United Spinal Association
United Spinal is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit membership organization formed in 1946 by paralyzed veterans and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all Americans with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and post polio. It has played a significant role in writing the Americans with Disabilities Act, made important contributions to the Fair Housing Amendments Act and the Air Carrier Access Act. Membership is free and is open to all individuals with spinal cord injury and diseases.
www.unitedspinal.org

About PepsiCo’s Diversity and Inclusion Networks
We believe a sense of belonging in our professional lives is just as important as it is in our personal relationships; it builds trust, encourages teamwork and collaboration, and enables the free sharing of ideas that helps us develop, grow and innovate. This is why we continue to grow our efforts to promote diversity and inclusion around the globe. In the United States, our Diversity and Inclusion Networks promote a culture where everyone feels they have an equal opportunity to contribute and succeed.