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MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL AND WORLD VISION PROVIDE POSTSEASON APPAREL TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN NEED

19 Oct 2007 15:17:00 GMT
Source: World Vision - USA
First Shipment of Merchandise to Help Flood Victims in Ghana

Website: Website: http://www.worldvision.org/press

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Major League Baseball today announced it is expanding its longstanding relationship with international relief organization World Vision by donating unsalable 2007 postseason MLB-licensed apparel to children and families in developing countries around the world.

Major League Baseball has previously worked with World Vision to donate counterfeit goods that have been confiscated by law enforcement. These efforts will continue during the 2007 postseason.

As teams are eliminated during the 2007 postseason an excess amount of inventory becomes available but is not salable. MLB will work with many of its licensees to ship the losing teams' apparel to World Vision's Gifts-in-Kind Distribution Center in Pittsburgh, PA. The goods will then be sorted and packaged for shipment to developing countries where World Vision has experienced staff and established product distribution networks. World Vision will ensure the items, which will be sent primarily to countries in Africa, are given to people in the greatest need.

"Baseball is a social institution with enormous social responsibilities and this is a tremendous opportunity for Major League Baseball to make an impact on the lives of those in need around the world," said Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. "We are pleased to work with World Vision, which brings more than 50 years of experience successfully assisting millions of people around the world."

The initial shipment of merchandise will go to the African country of Ghana, which has recently experienced devastating flooding caused by weeks of torrential rains and the spillage from the Bagre Dam in Burkina Faso. Ghana's government reports that 592 communities have been affected by the floods, with more than 20,000 homes destroyed and 260,000 people displaced.

"I am gratified to learn about the partnership of Major League Baseball and World Vision to provide assistance to flood victims in Northern Ghana," said U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Pamela E. Bridgewater. "This action clearly demonstrates that governments, businesses, foundations, non-governmental organizations, and private citizens can work together to help those in need when natural disasters occur. The collective response of the international community to flood victims in Ghana has been encouraging."

World Vision will carefully monitor and track the unsalable postseason merchandise as it makes its way to the intended beneficiaries. World Vision's network and resources will offer a secure, turnkey process to effectively utilize excess inventory that might otherwise have been destroyed.

"The children and families we serve will take great joy in these goods," said Richard Stearns, president of World Vision, "especially right now in Ghana where thousands have lost their homes and what few possessions they had. World Vision thanks Major League Baseball and its partners for recognizing that even though these items are unsalable, they are of great value to many people in need around the world."

About World Vision Gifts-in-Kind

Gifts-in-Kind (GIK) are a company's first-quality, excess inventory donated to assist those in need, and World Vision provides these goods to millions of people in need each year. World Vision works in 100 countries, half of which have duty free status to import donations, and through 11 U.S. sites, including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Appalachia. In the past 5 years, World Vision has placed $1.1 billion of donated goods from major corporations, such as clothing, shoes, medical supplies, books, school supplies, personal care, sporting goods and building materials.

About World Vision

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. For more information, please visit www.worldvision.org.

### Editors note: Photos of the initial shipment being packaged in Pittsburgh are now available at www.MLBPressBox.com. If you are interested in b-roll of the initial shipment packaging and images from the initial shipment delivery to Ghana please contact Susan Goodenow, Silvia Alvarez or Karen Kartes using the information below.

Contact: Susan Goodenow or Silvia Alvarez, Major League Baseball, (212) 931-7878 Karen Kartes, World Vision, (253) 815-2163

[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]

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Last updated:Fri Oct 19 15:28:12 2007