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News » 2003 » Kyocera Wireless Corp. Joins Celebs Snoop Dogg, Stevie Wonder, Gary Payton, LeBron James and More to Support Magic Johnson Foundation's "A Midsummer Night's Magic"

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Kyocera Wireless Corp. Joins Celebs Snoop Dogg, Stevie Wonder, Gary Payton, LeBron James and More to Support Magic Johnson Foundation's "A Midsummer Night's Magic"

Kyocera 7135 Smartphone with Digital Signatures, Recordings and Photos from Participating Celebs to be Auctioned Off to Support Charity

SAN DIEGO - July 11, 2003 - Kyocera Wireless Corp., a leading manufacturer of CDMA wireless phones, announced today its proud sponsorship in this summer's Magic Johnson charity event, "A Midsummer Night's Magic." Held July 24-27 in Los Angeles, the event will benefit the Taylor Michaels Scholarship Fund, created to provide support for deserving inner-city high school students who show academic achievement but face socio-economic challenges that hinder them in reaching their full potential.

A Kyocera 7135 smartphone, complete with digital signatures and photos from many participating celebrities, will be auctioned off post-event to support the Taylor Michaels Scholarship Fund. Stars scheduled to appear at the Celebrity and NBA All-Star games include Snoop Dogg, Antwon Walker, Erykah Badu, Stevie Wonder, india.arie, Gary Payton, #1 NBA draft pick LeBron James, and more.

"Kyocera Wireless was founded with the goal of creating high-tech products to improve people's lives while promoting responsible corporate citizenship," said Don McGuire, vice president of global marketing, Kyocera Wireless Corp. "We're proud to be working with The Magic Johnson Foundation to benefit such a worthwhile cause as the Taylor Michaels Scholarship Fund, something that fits so well with our corporate ideals."

"Only through the generosity of socially responsible companies like Kyocera Wireless can my Foundation go into communities and create a significant difference," said Earvin "Magic" Johnson, founder of the Magic Johnson Foundation. "We're grateful to Kyocera Wireless for helping us raise scholarship funds that will truly make an impact in many youths' lives."

Since 1985, "A Midsummer Night's Magic" has gained recognition as one of the leading annual fundraising events in the nation. The weekend, which is expected to draw more than 40,000 people, will include a corporate dinner on Thursday, a Children's Mardi Gras and a Comedy Slam at the Wiltern Theatre on Friday, a Harlem Renaissance theme party at Barker Hanger in Santa Monica on Saturday, and a celebrity and NBA All-Star basketball game at the Staples Center on Sunday. Past All-Star Games have attracted notable NBA stars including Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Shaquille O'Neal and Allen Iverson, just to name a few. The four-day event will draw people from all walks of life, including a large number of corporate sponsors, media, celebrities, athletes, and those simply wishing to support a worthy cause.

Kyocera Wireless will be on site at the Staples Center for the NBA All Star Game on Sunday, July 27 with the Kyocera van showcasing the latest designs in mobile devices.



About Kyocera Wireless Corp.
Kyocera Wireless Corp. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kyocera International Inc., which acquired QUALCOMM Incorporated's CDMA consumer wireless phone business in February 2000. Kyocera Wireless Corp. is a leading supplier of innovative, feature-rich CDMA handsets and accessories for customers worldwide. Based in San Diego, the company is ISO-14001 and ISO-9001 certified and has won city, state and federal awards for its environmentally friendly manufacturing and recycling practices. For more information, please visit www.kyocera-wireless.com.

Kyocera Corporation, the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of advanced ceramics. By combining these engineered materials with metals and plastics, and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of telecommunications equipment, semiconductor packages, electronic components, cameras, laser printers, copiers, solar energy systems and industrial ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2003, Kyocera Corporation's consolidated net sales totaled approximately US$8.9 billion (JP¥ 1,069,770 million) with net income of approximately US$340 million (JP¥ 41,165 million).


About the Magic Johnson Foundation, Taylor Michaels Scholarship Fund
"A Midsummer Night's Magic" Benefit Weekend was established to help raise scholarship funds to benefit the Magic Johnson Foundation Taylor Michaels Scholarship Program which provides scholarship awards to students from under-served communities. Students participating exemplify an aptitude for stellar scholastic achievements but are inhibited by socio-economic conditions. In addition, the Taylor Michaels Scholarship Program offers mentoring, provides jobs through its internship programs. Funds raised will also be donated to worthy organizations that serve the minority community. The Magic Johnson Foundation is dedicated to providing support to community-based organizations, which serve the health, educational, and social needs of urban youth and underserved communities. In addition, the Foundation is committed to raising awareness regarding the health and social ills plaguing under represented communities.


Copyright 2003 by Kyocera Wireless Corp. Kyocera is a registered trademark of Kyocera Corp. All other trademarks and product names are the property of their respective owners.



CONTACTS:
John Chier, Kyocera Wireless Corp.
phone 1-(858) 882-3543
e-mail: jchier@kyocera-wireless.com

Leasa Ireland/Melody Brue
LPI Communications for Kyocera Wireless Corp.
phone 1-(310) 796-1936
e-mail: leasa@lpicommunications.com
e-mail: melody@lpicommunications.com