UNICEF’S TAP PROJECT QUENCHES GLOBAL THIRST

From March 22-29, Canadians invited to pay $1 for tap water at
The Keg Steakhouse & Bar

$1 = Clean drinking water for 40 children for one day

March 16, 2009, TORONTO – UNICEF’s TAP Project is a simple idea with global impact: from March 22nd (World Water Day) to March 29th, The Keg Steakhouse & Bar and participating restaurants across Canada invite Canadians to contribute $1 for tap water they would normally receive for free. Every $1 donation will provide 40 children in developing countries with enough clean drinking water for one day. Canadians can also donate online at www.tapproject.ca.

Now in its second year, the TAP Project is a powerful movement aimed at building awareness of the need for clean, accessible water as a global health issue, while raising funds for UNICEF. In 2008, UNICEF launched the TAP Project in Canada, raising more than $300,000 for clean-drinking-water projects for children around the world.

“Access to clean, safe water is a basic building block for children’s health and well-being and the TAP Project is a simple way for Canadians to share the gift of clean water with children everywhere,” says Nigel Fisher, President & CEO, UNICEF Canada. “The Keg and other participating restaurants are helping UNICEF to reach millions of Canadians during the week of March 22. The support we have received from these restaurants is critical to the success of the TAP Project.”

“The Keg is very proud to support UNICEF’s TAP Project,” says David Aisenstat, President & CEO, Keg Restaurants Ltd. “UNICEF is known for its humanitarian efforts that help children, and we believe this important campaign will make a real difference. With the support of our guests and staff, The Keg is excited to help bring clean drinking water to children around the world.”

Unsafe drinking water is a global crisis
More than 2.5 billion people — almost 40 per cent of the world’s population — lack basic sanitation facilities, and almost 890 million people still use unsafe drinking water sources. As a result, thousands of children die every day from water- and sanitation-related diseases, and many more suffer and are weakened by illness.

Toronto Mayor David Miller to join celebrities to launch TAP Project March 23rd
To help raise money and awareness for this massive problem, Toronto Mayor David Miller will join celebrities Ben Mulroney, Farley Flex, Marnie McBean and Curt Harnett to kick-off the TAP Project by serving water for guests at Toronto’s Keg Mansion on Monday March 23rd.

See how clean drinking water saves lives:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0zBxDFg7YM

Watch how the TAP Project began and how it has spread around the world: http://www.youtube.com/user/UNICEFUSA

To learn more about the TAP Project and to donate online, please visit www.tapproject.ca.

About UNICEF
UNICEF is the world’s leader for children, working in over 150 countries and territories to save, protect and enhance the lives of girls and boys. UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, promotes quality basic education, protects children from violence, exploitation and AIDS, and is the world's largest provider of vaccines for developing nations. A global leader in emergencies with six decades of on-the-ground experience, UNICEF saves and rebuilds children’s lives in natural disasters and conflict. UNICEF is funded entirely by voluntary contributions from individuals, businesses, foundations, schools, associations and governments. For more information, visit www.unicef.ca.

About The Keg Steakhouse & Bar
Established in Vancouver, BC in 1971, Keg Restaurants Ltd. is the leading operator and franchisor of steakhouse restaurants in Canada, and has a substantial presence in select markets in the United States. Through The Keg Spirit Foundation, The Keg provides support to charitable initiatives for children and youth. Since it was established in 2001, The Foundation has donated more than $3.5 million. The Keg Steakhouse & Bar has been named one of the “50 Best Employers in Canada” for the past seven years by the Globe and Mail’s Report on Business Magazine. For more information, visit www.kegsteakhouse.com.