Fort Wayne, Ind. – June 23, 2011 - Parkview, Tobacco Free Allen County and the Fort Wayne TinCaps today announced a collaborative campaign, “Choose to be Tobacco Free,” aimed at encouraging youth and adults to be tobacco free, with a focus on middle school and high school youth. The collaboration led by Parkview is funded through a grant from Tobacco Free Allen County.
“Choose to be Tobacco Free” highlights:
- A full page advertisement featuring the Choose to be Tobacco Free message with TinCaps’ players B.J. Guinn and Keyvius Sampson will appear in the TinCaps’ GameDay program for the remainder of the season.
- A public service announcement featuring the Choose to be Tobacco Free message with local little league, high school, college, and TinCaps baseball players will be shown at Parkview Field and on television broadcasts of this weekend’s home games. It can be found on YouTube at the following link http://youtu.be/2Y4Zkv-PS0E.
- Choose to be Tobacco Free information will be featured on www.tincaps.com and in both the TinCaps and Apple Corps newsletters.
- Parkview and Tobacco Free Allen County will be featured as a sponsor for the TinCaps’ three weekend home games beginning Friday.
- Parkview and Tobacco Free Allen County are sponsoring the fireworks shows on Friday and Saturday.
- Parkview and Tobacco Free Allen County will have a special kiosk at Parkview Field with information about choosing to be tobacco free for people attending this weekend’s games.
“Tobacco use can be deadly,” said Dick Conklin, executive director, Tobacco Free Allen County. “A community free of tobacco can lead to a healthier community and a better quality of life. We are pleased to be a partner with Parkview and the TinCaps on this important public health issue affecting both youth and adults.”
“We see the negative effects of tobacco use each day in our Parkview facilities,” said Linda Kerr, nurse practitioner, Parkview Women’s Health Center. “Tobacco use affects all of us. By choosing to be tobacco free, we are committing ourselves to a healthier and safer community.”
“Baseball is certainly at the forefront of the tobacco issue,” said Michael Limmer, TinCaps Vice President of Marketing. “We’re proud of the fact that Minor League Baseball has banned tobacco use by all of its players at ballparks across the country. Being able to provide a positive example to the youth of Allen County is important to our players and the entire TinCaps organization. We’re proud to be a part of this campaign and to strengthen our partnership with Parkview and Tobacco Free Allen County.”