In 1999, the Urban Initiative program sprang to life. Designed to help communities with the dream, but without the resources, to play Little League Baseball and Softball, it has grown from just Los Angeles and Harlem to include over 200 leagues in 85 cities nationwide. Its mission is simple: create and renew Little League programs in urban neighborhoods. Its success is evident: Kids learn and build citizenship, discipline, teamwork, self-esteem and physical well-being. And beyond the mission and the success, at the heart of this program is providing every child a chance to know the magic contact of the baseball bat hitting a ball, or the thrilling thud of the ball landing squarely in a mitt—giving each kid a chance. Honda has proudly supported this program for the past eight years, and in each of those years has helped the Urban Initiative aid approximately 43,000 players.

Donations from Honda this year help to improve baseball diamonds. Better still, they improve the life of each kid who steps up to plate on those very diamonds. You can make a difference, too. To find out more about the Urban Initiative, to see how you can help, and to find out if your local league may qualify, please call 1-800-334-6632 and ask for a brochure. Or visit the Urban Initiative Web site.