Birmingham,
AL (Cable Muse Network) February 1, 2009 -- Arizona Cardinals Quarterback and Super Bowl 43 player, Kurt Warner, has become
the latest sports celebrity to publicly support the mission and community service work of non-profit organization Civitan
International through a series of television public service announcements.
In pre-game ceromonies Kurt
Warner received the 2008 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award for his partnership with Habitat for Humanity and donation
of a million and half dollars for families in need.
In the Civitan spots Warner, who has a son with disabilities, encourages viewers to join Civitan members in
serving their local community, supporting people with developmental disabilities, and funding the work of the UAB Civitan
International Research Center. Warner stars in the PSAs with Job Kinnaman, a local Special Olympics athlete with Down Syndrome
who loves football and has benefited from several local Civitan club projects. Warner is the latest celebrity athlete, such
as Bo Jackson and Richard Petty, who have publicly endorsed Civitan's mission through their membership, monetary support
and appearance in PSAs. These new Kurt Warner PSAs can be viewed at http://www.civitan.org/kurtwarner, where visitors can also make a donation to Civitan International.
Since its founding in Birmingham in 1917, Civitan has grown to approximately 40,000 members in 28 countries.
Local Civitan clubs meet a wide variety of needs in their communities, with an emphasis on helping people with developmental
disabilities. Civitan International's flagship project, the UAB Civitan International Research Center, is the result of
a $20 million commitment by Civitan members to make life better for people with developmental disabilities. This state of
the art center brings together top scientific minds and the latest technology to create innovative therapies and treatments
for people with developmental disabilities. The Center provides services for a national clientele of individuals with special
needs, while researchers and therapists from around the world come to learn and train in the newest breakthroughs.
