World Hoop Day on Treasure Island 080808

Hula Hoops! Families Get Fit on International Holiday for Peace 08-08-08 World Hoop Day's 2nd Celebration Revolves Around the Opening Ceremony of Olympics

SAN FRANCISCO, CA–AUGUST 8, 2008 —Hula Hoop Artists are donating hoops, lessons, games and prizes to underprivileged children with hopes of getting them fit, not fat on Treasure Island's Great Lawn from 1-9pm on Friday 08/08/08 rain or shine. The International Holiday called World Hoop Day is a Free Public event that just happens to take place on the same day as Beijing's Olympic Opening Ceremony, and like the Olympics, happens in 1,000s of cities around the world, where rings, or hoops are in the spotlight. Children of all ages are outdoors getting fit, while celebrating peace.

As an effort to encourage healthy lifestyles, members of hoop groups gather at local parks to share and teach the art of hooping. Custom made hoops that retail for $30-55 are donated to children in need globally, and every year on World Hoop Day, hoops are provided to anyone interested in Celebrating the Circle. Check WorldHoopDay.org for details.

On July 7, 2007 (777) WHD participants gave away close to 800 hoops to children in the United States. Since then, Ambassadors have delivered more than 50 hoops to children in Jamaica, Mexico, and Africa. Each year through community efforts around the world, WHD is able to increase the number of gifts and help provide a peaceful way to play. This year in an effort to raise more money, founders developed a contest encouraging local groups to give away hundreds of hoops to locals, and raise money to help take hoops to remote villages. According to Kevin O'Keeffe, a native San Francisco hooper, "You can only have good thoughts while hooping."

Joining the Bay Area Hoopers at Treasure Island are the famous HoopGirl Allstars, Miss Rosie of HoolieHoop, Hoopin' Annie (founder of World Hoop Day), HoopPain, including amazing donations from the founders of World Hoop Day, local area HoopGirl Allstars, Los Angeles based Hoopnotica and many others. The event's activities include music, games, contests, lessons, fire performances, a Peter Pan/Treasure Island costume theme, donating hoops to the former homeless youths who now reside on the previous Navy Base with amazing views of San Francisco and the Bay. At 8pm there will be a moment of silence to connect with all the hoopers around the world celebrating this enormous event in Australia, Europe, Asia, South America and the other cities of the USA.

There is no experience required, but experienced hoopers are certainly invited. The community is encouraged to bring hoops and potluck to share, and much fun will be provided.

World Hoop Day is a 2 year old non-profit service organization dedicated to giving custom made hoops to children in need around the world. WHD encourages active, healthy lifestyles. WHD has members in every state as well as in Europe, Asia and Africa. WHD is proud to have made a significant contribution of numbers exceeding 1,ooo hoops to children in need in Mexico, Haiti, Jamaica and in local communities of the United States.