SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Scott Birnbaum, vice president, new business development, at Samsung Semiconductor, Inc., and his 23-year old son Jeffrey, will pedal from the company headquarters here at 3655 North First Street, for 550 miles to the Grauman Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, CA to raise donations for charities that improve the lives of children and support their families.
The charities to benefit from this volunteer effort include: The Boomer Esiason Foundation, the Dan Marino Foundation and the Jimmie Johnson Foundation, affiliated with the ongoing Samsung Electronics’ Hope for Children charity fund-raising program, as well as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®.
The Samsung “Gears for Giving” two-man solo trip is expected to last 12 days. The father-son team will sleep in outdoor tents which attach to their bikes.
“We are quite excited about our goal to help support charities that provide innovative treatment and incredible research for children. For me, this is a tremendous experience – something rare for a father and son and a great adventure for a senior executive of a major company. What’s important is that we raise awareness and money through an unusual undertaking for four spectacular children’s charities that support the best of causes,” said Samsung’s Birnbaum.
The two riders will take some of the latest mobile technology with them on the “Gears for Giving” trek. They will use a Samsung SH100 camera that can email photographs and videos direct to Facebook or YouTube without a PC. Scott will be sporting his Galaxy S Smartphone that will interact with his camera as a virtual viewfinder that will be able to grab great shots of the father-son team together. In addition, the Birnbaum’s will use a Galaxy Tab 10.1 to send real-time updates of their adventures to their followers on Facebook, Twitter and the VoiceatSamsungSemiconductor.com blog. They even will be able to watch movies on a projected five-foot diagonal screen at night via a Pico projector connected to Netflix.
The father and son will bike along the California coast following Route 1 for most of the journey with planned stops in Santa Cruz, Monterey, Big Sur, San Simeon, Pismo Beach, Santa Barbara and Santa Monica before finishing at the Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood.
“Samsung is very pleased to be sponsoring this ambitious bike ride in support of in support of these wonderful charities,” said Bill Valle, Director, Human Resources, Samsung Semiconductor, Inc. “It’s one small but important example of how individuals can make a difference.”
Samsung is matching, dollar for dollar, donation from its employees for Gears for Giving. Others are encouraged to donate by visiting any of the following Samsung Hope for Children participating charity sites. Donors can simply click on the foundation links and specify their donation amount.
The Samsung Gears for Giving ride begins at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, June 28 and is expected to end at approximately noon on July 9th. Those interested can follow the progress on Facebook and Twitter.
About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2010 consolidated sales of US$135.8 billion. Employing approximately 190,500 people in 206 offices across 68 countries, the company consists of eight independently operated business units: Visual Display, Mobile Communications, Telecommunication Systems, Digital Appliances, IT Solutions, Digital Imaging, Semiconductor and LCD. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, semiconductor chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.
About the Boomer Esiason Foundation
The Boomer Esiason Foundation is a dynamic partnership of leaders in the medical and business communities joining with a committed core of volunteers to heighten awareness, education and the quality of life for those affected by cystic fibrosis, while providing financial support to research aimed at finding a cure.
About the Dan Marino Foundation
The Dan Marino Foundation was established by Dan and Claire Marino in 1992. The Foundation’s mission is to “open doors” towards independence by creating awareness and opportunities for the autism and special needs communities. The Foundation fulfills this mission by supporting comprehensive integrated treatment programs, providing outreach services, advancing scientific research, and building independence through employment and daily living transition programs. The Foundation has raised over $31 million since its inception, which has been used to fund major medical research, build the Miami Children’s Hospital Dan Marino Center, and operate life-changing programs.
About the Jimmie Johnson Foundation
Founded by five-time reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson and his wife Chandra, the Jimmie Johnson Foundation is dedicated to assisting children, families and communities in need. Partner programs include the Jimmie Johnson Foundation/Lowe’s Toolbox for Education Champions Grant program, the Hendrick Marrow Program, Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, and the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte.
About St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Since opening in 1962, St. Jude has made great discoveries in how to treat deadly childhood diseases like cancer and saving the lives of kids around the world. Doctors send some of their toughest cases and sickest patients to St. Jude. And, consistent with the vision of our founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family's ability to pay.
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