NEW YORK, NY - July 13, 2007 - On the 125th birthday of one of the country's leading children's charities, three powerful new champions have decided to give a gift to America's kids by helping the national nonprofit free them from the effects of abuse, neglect and the kinds of crises that can strike any youngster.

Air Products executive John Marsland, University of Notre Dame educator Dr. Constance Elise Porter, and noted financial advisor L. Richard Plunkett are the newest caring luminaries to join a group of 20 distinguished VIPs from 10 U.S. states serving on the board of directors for the national children’s charity KidsPeace. The 125-year-old organization, which helps children overcome traumas and the crises of growing up, was founded in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and now has 66 centers nationwide. Through direct care and global prevention efforts, KidsPeace reaches millions of kids and families each year with life-saving tools and services to cope with such problems as abuse, neglect, depression, autism, and the modern pressures of life.

John Marsland is vice president and general manager, Global Healthcare for Air Products and Chemicals in Allentown, Pennsylvania. In his current position, he is responsible for developing and implementing the global strategy of the Air Products Healthcare businesses. Mr. Marsland joined Air Products in 2002 as director−business development. In 2003 he was named vice president, Corporate Development Office before assuming his current position. Prior to joining Air Products, Mr. Marsland was employed by The Stanley Works, where he had worked since 1999 as director, Financial Planning and Analysis and director, Finance"“Mergers & Acquisitions. Before joining The Stanley Works, Marsland worked for GE, where he graduated from their Financial Management Program, spent five years with their Corporate Audit Staff and held leadership positions in their Global Treasury, Asian Finance and Global Supply Chain organizations. Mr. Marsland was born in Reading, Pa. He graduated with High Distinction from Babson College in 1988 with a B.S. degree in finance and investments. He likes to cook, travel and spend time with his wife, Carolyn, and their three daughters.

"Every child deserves the opportunity to reach their potential," says Marsland. "KidsPeace plays an important role in helping those in need."

L. Richard Plunkett is a noted investment advisor and philanthropist. He is president of Plunkett & Associates, a money management and investment firm in Carrollton, Georgia. Plunkett serves on the board of WGNB, the holding company of First National Bank of Georgia, and was active in several family-owned apparel businesses before selling his interests in the mid-90s. Born in Newburgh, NY, he is a graduate of Brown University and received his Masters of Business Administration, Finance, from Georgia State University. Plunkett earned his Chartered Financial Analyst certification in 1973 and is a member of the Association for Investment Management and Research and the Society of International Business Fellows. His philanthropic activities are legion. He has been a member of the KidsPeace Georgia Board of Associates, and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Michael C. Carlos Museum, and Live Oak Shelter. Plunkett has two children, Clarke and Katherine.

"KidsPeace is the most powerful way I know to help kids have the opportunity to reach their potential personally and as contributors to society," says Mr. Plunkett. "I am pleased with the opportunity to serve on this distinguished national board."

Dr. Constance Elise Porter is an assistant professor in the marketing department at the prestigious Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame. She has a special interest in helping modern nonprofit organizations, and is a sought-after conference speaker and contributor to major marketing and business journals. Dr. Porter has worked for Xerox, Georgia-Pacific, National Westminster Bank USA, and Northern Trust Company. In addition, she has been a management consultant for Gemini Consulting (now Cap Gemini Ernst & Young) and Cambridge Management Consulting. Dr. Porter earned a bachelor of science in economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania with dual concentrations in finance and public policy management, an MBA from the University of Michigan with dual emphases in operations and corporate strategy, and a Ph.D. from Georgia State University with a major in marketing. Dr. Porter was born and raised in Chicago, and now lives in South Bend, Indiana, where KidsPeace has a Foster Care and Family Services center.

"Helping kids overcome crises, an essential element of the KidsPeace mission, is an important legacy left to me by my mother-a social worker who dedicated her professional life to helping children overcome behavioral challenges and family crises," says Dr. Porter. "Leading by example, she instilled in me a belief in the power of encouragement in helping kids reach their full potential. It is this belief that calls me to serve children at KidsPeace."

In addition to the 20 members of the board, KidsPeace is supported by its national spokesperson, television personality and founder of The Memory Foundation, Leeza Gibbons. Other well-known supporters who serve as Honorary Directors include Frances Hesselbein, Chairman of the Leader to Leader Institute and former CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA, and philanthropists Mrs. Inez Donley and Ann Ardoline of Bethlehem, and Mr. Douglas Patt of Allentown.

"We help children who have been through the worst," says C.T. O’Donnell II, president and CEO of KidsPeace. "Fortunately, for 125 years, our mission has attracted the best and brightest supporters to help these youngsters. We and our children are very grateful to have this level of support from so many good-hearted, influential people here at home and all across the country. Thank you."

KidsPeace is a 125-year-old national children’s crisis charity dedicated to giving hope, help, and healing to children facing crisis. Founded in Bethlehem, PA with 66 centers nationwide, KidsPeace directly helps thousands of children a day to overcome the crises of growing up and millions more each year through free prevention and problem-solving resources such as TeenCentral.Net. KidsPeace was named "The Outstanding Organization" of its kind in the country by the American Association of Psychiatric Services for Children and was called "a prototype of what we need for all children everywhere" by the late, nationally renowned child and family expert, Dr. Lee Salk. For more information, go to www.kidspeace.org.

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KidsPeace is a 124-year-old national children's crisis charity dedicated to giving help, hope and healing to kids facing traumas, depression, eating disorder, abuse, and the stresses of modern life. Founded in 1882 in Bethlehem, Pa., KidsPeace helps some 4,000 children a day at 65 centers nationally and millions more through public education and outreach with the support of its National Spokesperson Leeza Gibbons, Harvard's Dr. Alvin Poussaint, Brown University child development pioneer Dr. Lewis P. Lipsitt, national children's safety and self-esteem icon Retro Bill, and other notables. KidsPeace was called "the outstanding organization" of its kind by the American Association of Psychiatric Services for Children and "a prototype of what we need for all children everywhere" by family expert Dr. Lee Salk.

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