FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 1, 2007

Trenton, NJ -- From his infectious laughter to his attempt to perform push ups, two year old John Paul Elijah Dickerson, Jr. mimics everything his father does. His father, John Paul Dickerson often works double shifts but never misses daily opportunities to be a visible and positive presence in his son's life. There's much more to the story of Mr. Dickerson, who has been selected as one of thirteen men to be inducted in the 2007 class of Trenton's "Platinum Dads" at a city-wide breakfast reception on Saturday, June 16, 2007 at 10 a.m. at the Trenton Marriott.

The Platinum Dads event was created last year by Children's Futures, Union Industrial Home for Children, and the Trenton Housing Authority to become an annual program to honor ordinary men doing extraordinary things. The other 2007 awardees, selected by a panel of agency officials, business leaders and reporters from nominations submitted by Trenton residents, include: Edwin Asencio, Dennis Frazier, Kendall Funchess, Horace Grant, Sr., Dwayne King, Martin Moore, Ulman Morales, William Petroski, Abuna Price, Calvin Richardson, Jorge Santiago and Willie Thompson.

During a Friday afternoon press conference in Trenton City Hall, organizers also announced a new "Legacy of Fatherhood Award" to be given to a man whose contributions as a father have impacted the entire city of Trenton. The inaugural "Legacy of Fatherhood Award" recipient will be George H. Palmer, father of Douglas H. Palmer, the first African American Mayor of Trenton.

Trenton is one of the few communities in the nation with an annual city-wide program to recognize the contributions of exemplary fathers in their children's lives. This year, Citibank, N.A. has become a Platinum Dads program sponsor

For more information, please contact:

• Bill Rovner, Children's Futures (609) 695-1977 (ext. 103) or
• Ed Gittens, Union Industrial Home for Children (609) 695-3663