Candy manufacturer Just Born Inc. is returning as the official candy sponsor of the 2008 JCC Maccabi Games, a weeklong athletic and character-building event by the Jewish Community Centers Association.
The JCC Maccabi Games, which started in 1982, has grown from a small pilot project in one host community with 300 participants competing in a handful of events to an Olympic-style sporting competition held each summer in multiple host communities throughout North America.
The combined Maccabi Games are the largest organized sports program for Jewish teenagers in the world. Today, more than 6,000 athletes ranging from 13 to 16 years old participate in sports and community-service projects each summer. The 2008 games will take place this month in three cities: San Diego, Calif., Akron, Ohio, and Detroit, Mich.
“We are honored to return as the official candy sponsor to the 2008 JCC Maccabi Games,” said Brian Bachrach, brand manager for Peanut Chews. “The games represent an important event drawing young athletes from all over the world. For our Peanut Chews, Hot Tamales and Mike and Ike candy brands to be able to sweeten these kids’ memories of participating is quite special to us.”
In addition, Just Born’s Hot Tamales, Mike and Ike and Peanut Chews brands will also sponsor the JCC summer camps in more than 15 locations with more than 10,000 participants.
Peanut Chews candies are known for their delicious chewy, chocolaty bite-sized pieces loaded with crunchy peanuts. They are available in two flavors – Peanut Chews Original Dark and Milk Chocolaty, and are offered in a host of convenient sizes and snack packs.
Peanut Chews candies were developed during World War I and used by the U.S. military as a ration bar. The high-energy, high-protein recipe and unique taste made it popular with the troops and have helped it remain popular today.
Mike and Ike, Hot Tamales and Peanut Chews are all Kosher. In addition, Mike and Ike and Hot Tamales are gluten-free. The Mike and Ike brand was introduced in 1940, while Hot Tamales was introduced in the 1950s.
Just Born Inc. is a privately owned company founded in 1923 and headquartered in Bethlehem, Pa., where it manufactures Peeps, Hot Tamales, Mike and Ike, Zours and Teenee Beanee candies. The Peanut Chews candies are produced at its Philadelphia, Pa., facility.
