Samsung Mobile Phone Samaritans Become Part of Olympic Torch Relay History

Former Olympian Herschel Walker Joins Samsung’s Five Winners for Prestigious Honor of Carrying the Olympic Torch in San Francisco

Helping others by using a mobile phone changed the lives of five Samsung Mobile Phone Samaritans today. They were joined by former Olympian and NFL Great Herschel Walker as they had the opportunity of a lifetime carrying the Olympic Torch during its only U.S. stop through the streets of San Francisco.

As a Presenting Partner of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay, the Samsung Mobile Phone Samaritan program allowed for Samsung to reward individuals with this once in a lifetime opportunity by entering an essay contest where they shared their story of how they helped someone in need by using a mobile phone. A panel of judges selected five winning entries awarding them with an opportunity to serve as Olympic Torchbearers.
Bill Schmidt, Chesterfield, Mo. – His fast reaction after seeing a car accident in bad weather to stop, assess the situation and call 911 saved the lives of three passengers.
Richard Doran, Stony Brook, NY – Mobile phones were an essential tool for this former firefighter following 9/11 to help recover victims and notify families. Doran has dedicated his run to the fallen firefighters.
Cherice Gerson, Overland Park, Kan. – Using her mobile phone, she reassured her son that everything would be okay during a stressful situation during a school emergency lock down.
Mark Meyers, Durbin, N.D. – Has been paying the bills and providing phones to a single mother with a degenerative disease struggling to make ends meet.
Katie Gosling, Wellesley, Mass. – Was hiking with her dad as a child and they helped rescue a climber who had fallen and injured himself.

“Each of our Mobile Phone Samaritan’s stories is different and unique, but they had the same result – helping someone in need,” said DJ Oh, President and CEO of Samsung Electronics America. “They used quick thinking and the use of their mobile phones to help someone out in a critical situation and are being awarded with their heroism with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Samsung Gives Back to San Francisco

In addition to participating in the Olympic Torch Relay, Samsung Spokesman Herschel Walker paid a special visit to the San Francisco’s Willie Mays Boys & Girls Club at Hunters Point where he conducted a special “Olympic training session” with the members. Samsung also made a donation of $10,000 in product to the Clubhouse. This special donation is part of Samsung’s effort to leave a legacy in the host city of various conferences and major events in which Samsung participates. Past cities that have benefited from this initiative include Miami (2007 Super Bowl), Seattle (2007 World Cyber Games) and Las Vegas (2008 Consumer Electronics Show). Samsung is proud to add San Francisco to the growing list.

“Having the opportunity to give back to the community that hosts such an extraordinary event is amazing, especially when we are helping kids,” said Walker. “I am honored to be a part of this program and have the opportunity to work with a first-class organization such as Samsung.”

“We are so grateful for Herschel’s visit with our kids and the donation that Samsung has made to our club,” said James Holley, Clubhouse director at the Willie Mays Boys & Girls Club at Hunters Point. “What he and Samsung have done for our club and community is so appreciated and will be remembered by our kids for a long time to come.”

Samsung Electronics has been a Worldwide Olympic Partner in the wireless telecommunications category since 1997 and first sponsored the Olympic Torch Relay in 2004 prior to the Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. Through the years Samsung has consistently sponsored and supported a broad range of sporting events that echo its corporate philosophy, elevate Samsung’s brand recognition and demonstrate the company’s commitment to responsible corporate citizenship and global friendship.

For more information about Samsung’s Olympic involvement, visit www.samsung.com/torchrelay.

About Samsung Electronics

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2007 consolidated sales of US$103.4 billion. Employing approximately 150,000 people in 134 offices in 62 countries, the company consists of five main business units: Digital Media Business, LCD Business, Semiconductor Business, Telecommunication Business and Digital Appliance Business. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco

Part of the community since 1891, Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco’s mission is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. The Club currently serves more than 1,200 youth (ages six to 18) each day at nine Clubhouses located in the neighborhoods with the fewest resources. Plus, Camp Mendocino – BGCSF’s residential summer camp in Mendocino County – serves 1,150 youth each summer during 10-day sessions. Clubs are open when kids need services most – after school, on school holidays and during the summer. In addition, most Clubs are open on Saturdays and have extended evening hours for teens. For just a $10 annual membership fee, the Clubs offer high quality staff, programs, and facilities in an environment that promotes respect, responsibility and fun. For more information, please visit our website at www.bgcsf.org.

Contacts

Samsung Electronics America
Jose Cardona, 201-229-4118
jcardona {at} sea.samsung(.)com
or
MWW Group for Samsung
Tracy Calabrese, 973-865-0624 (mobile)
tcalabrese {at} mww(.)com