Fans Across America: The Ultimate Holiday Gift for the Sports Fan in Your Life!

PHOENIX - November 7, 2007 - Looking for the ultimate gift to give the sports fan in your life this holiday season? Then give them a membership in the Fans Across America® Charitable Foundation (www.fansacrossamerica.org). Becoming a member is easy and will help them save money, go to more Valley sporting events, spend more time with the family and most importantly, help families with seriously ill children with the "life" expenses associated with the illness.

Fans Across America, a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt organization, harnesses the power of sports fans and families to raise money through the sale of annual memberships and other charitable giving. Members receive discounts for professional and collegiate sporting events, golf courses, retail outlets, restaurants, services and entertainment venues. Some examples of Fans Across America Discount Partners include the Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Mercury, Phoenix Coyotes, Arizona Rattlers, Arizona Science Center, F1 Race Factory, Grand Canyon Railway, Fiddlesticks, Arizona Science Center and SportClips; and the list is growing.

"With the array of discounts our members receive, they can go to more sporting events and entertainment venues with their family. Just as an example, our members were able to go to a baseball game this past season on a Saturday night, receive a free gift, watch the game and then experience post-game fireworks, all for just $10 per person (regularly $20). A family of four was able to save $40 on just one game," said founder Bruce Petillo. "Add in all the other entertainment and family friendly discounts along with the ability to help families in need and the Fans Across America membership becomes a must have gift this holiday season."

Funds raised by Fans Across America are used to help families pay for some "life" expenses associated with an illness. The Foundation provides direct support by working with the family to help them pay the mortgage or buy groceries; and indirect support by providing resources to other like-minded organizations. Every year, families are forced into bankruptcy because of the medical and other expenses associated with the serious illness of a child. Add in the fact that between 65 to 70 percent of households live paycheck to paycheck and it is easy to see how the financial impact of the diagnosis can often be insurmountable. In fact, a 2005 Harvard study found that medical bills and illness played a roll in nearly half of all bankruptcies.
How Fans Across America Works

The annual cost of membership is just $50, providing fans and families with the opportunity to save money while making a difference in the lives of families with seriously ill children. Becoming a part of the Fans Across America community is easy. All you have to do is:

Join: Purchase your Fans Across America membership online and your new membership card will be mailed to you.

Search: Search for and find discounts online.

Save: Members show their Fans Across America membership card at the participating discount partner's location to receive their discount.

Help: Money raised helps families with seriously ill children meet some of the medical and "life" expenses faced as a result of the illness.

"Fans Across America has developed a unique opportunity to make a significant difference in people's lives," said Petillo. "By simply becoming part of the Fans Across America community, members not only save money, but they can help save families, and that is the true value of this organization."