Passing this along from Fox Sports Ohio:

COLUMBUS, OHIO - FOX Sports Ohio is excited to announce a partnership with After-School All-Stars (ASAS) and its "Sports As A Hook" program.

ASAS is a leading non-profit organization that provides comprehensive programming to middle school children in 13 cities across the US. Its mission is to provide free, quality comprehensive after-school programs that keep children safe and help them succeed in school and in life.

"Sports As A Hook" is a sports-based youth development initiative which helps connect sports to leadership and life skills, community service, nutrition, empowering girls, nature and parental involvement. FOX Sports Ohio will be teaming with the Columbus chapter of After-School All-Stars (CASAS) to provide monetary support for "Sports As A Hook" resources as well as engage in activities set up to benefit CASAS children.

"Sports As A Hook seemed like a natural partnership the very first time we heard about it," stated Henry Ford, Senior Vice President & General Manager, FOX Sports Ohio. "We're excited to support such a wonderful program, but more important to serve the youth in our communities."

This partnership will officially launch at the CASAS 2010 Summer Games this Friday, July 30 from 9:00am to 3:00pm at The Ohio State University's Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.

Over 2,000 Columbus youth ages 7-17 are expected to attend Summer Games for a full day of sports, enrichment, and brain game clinics and competitions. Clinics and competitions will include: hockey, soccer, fencing, archery, basketball, golf, martial arts, track and field, chess, poetry, financial literacy competitions, a science tent, and many other fun and educational activities. There will additionally be live entertainment, lunch and refreshments, visits from local politicians, and awards for all participants.

During the 12 noon lunch "half time" presentation, Ford will present CASAS with a monetary donation on behalf of FOX Sports Ohio. Participants are encouraged to visit the FSOhio tent to play games and win prizes. FOX Sports Ohio's team partner, the Columbus Blue Jackets, will also have a presence at the Summer Games with their slap shot inflatable on site. Blue Jackets mascot Stinger will be roaming and interacting with kids at the event as well.

"After-School All-Stars Columbus is honored and excited to partner with Fox Sports Ohio to implement the "Sports As A Hook" program. We can think of no better place to kick off this great relationship than at our Annual Summer Games this week being held at The Ohio State University's, Jesse Owens Stadium where 1500 youth from Central Ohio will gather for a day of enriching activity," said Donald K. Anthony Jr., Executive Director, After-School All-Stars Columbus. "We want to thank Fox Sports Ohio for their generous contribution to the program and extending their resources to help us provide meaningful experiences to our youth."

The mission of ASAS is to keep at-risk children safe and help them achieve in school and in life. Operating in over 450 school sites in 13 urban cities in the U.S., ASAS serves more than 80,000 children annually, the majority of them middle school students from low-income families. CASAS' goal is to fuel children's passions in academics and enrichment activities, provide them with the academic foundation to succeed in school, and equip them with skills to become productive members of their community. For more information, visit www.as-as.org and www.asascolumbus.org