KaBOOM! and The Home Depot were presented Golden Halo Awards today during the 2006 Cause Marketing Forum conference in New York City for our high impact partnership that in the last ten years has positively affected the lives of thousands of children and communities across North America.

Each year, the Cause Marketing Forum recognizes one business and one nonprofit organization for their leadership and outstanding efforts in the field of cause marketing.

"It's an honor to receive a Golden Halo Award from Cause Marketing Forum for our partnership with The Home Depot," said Darell Hammond, CEO and co-founder, KaBOOM!.  "With The Home Depot's support, every day we are closer to making our vision of a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America a reality.  This award not only recognizes the incredible role The Home Depot plays in that effort, but also the example they set as a leader in corporate philanthropy."

KaBOOM! and The Home Depot have worked together over the last 10 years to develop a community-build model that encourages civic leadership and revitalizes communities through creating great playspaces for children.  With The Home Depots financial and volunteer support, the partnership has mobilized more than 40,000 volunteers to build or improve more than 500 community playgrounds, skateparks and sports fields across North America.

In 2005, KaBOOM! and The Home Depot launched an unprecedented initiative to create and refurbish 1,000 playspaces in 1,000 days throughout North America.  The Home Depot is investing $25 million and nearly 1 million volunteer hours in support of this three-year program, which is expected to benefit 1.5 million parents and children.

In August, KaBOOM! and The Home Depot will partner with Playworld Systems and Hands on Network to build ten playgrounds in the Gulf Coast during the week of the one year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina making landfall.  The week-long effort is part of Operation Playground, a two-year KaBOOM! initiative to build 100 playgrounds in Gulf Coast communities affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  Learn more about Operation Playground.

In addition to receiving the award, Hammond and Brad Shaw, The Home Depot Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications & External Affairs, were featured speakers at the conference.

KaBOOM! and The Home Depot were selected as this year's winners by an interdisciplinary panel of cause marketing experts based on conceptual strength, execution, business results and cause results.  As winners of the 4th annual Cause Marketing Forum Golden Halo Awards, the organizations will be highlighted in a special section of Advertising Age magazine.  Cause Marketing Forum was founded in 2002 to help companies and nonprofits 'do well' by 'doing good.'  Learn more about Cause Marketing Forum.