COLUMBUS, Ohio (July 11, 2008) – For the 32nd consecutive year, local students have an opportunity to earn money this summer while providing a variety of community services to improve the quality of life for area residents through Operation Brightside T.E.E.N.

Several ambitious Columbus-area youth jumped at the opportunity to gain practical work experience and develop career-planning skills, while earning much-needed money. The program is administered by the Education and Prevention Services Department of the Columbus Urban League, Inc.

The Anheuser-Busch Columbus brewery and the Columbus Urban League kicked off their annual Operation Brightside T.E.E.N. internship program in June with a daylong workshop at the brewery. Students learned presentation and other professional skills and participated in a panel discussion with Anheuser-Busch employees on the importance of setting and attaining goals.

“Operation Brightside T.E.E.N. prepares students with unique on-the-job training in a non-threatening, learning atmosphere. The program also provides much-needed summer staff support to community organizations and businesses,” said Kevin Lee, plant manager, Columbus brewery. “This summer program helps build self-esteem and gives these students the confidence they’ll need in the professional world. These are lessons they’ll carry with them for a lifetime.”

“We’re very proud of how Operation Brightside T.E.E.N. has evolved in 32 years and what it means to the students in Franklin County. The program provides our young people with meaningful summer employment opportunities to enhance social, academic and career development. This experience gives students the chance to learn the importance of acquiring job skills, the value of the money they earn and an incentive to dedicate themselves right now to planning their future success,” said Eddie Harrell, Columbus Urban League president and chief executive officer. “The involvement of Anheuser-Busch and our work site partners help us demonstrate to our students that someone believes in them enough to offer a job and to teach essential skills.”

The 30 students participating in this year’s Operation Brightside T.E.E.N. program were selected on the basis of personal interviews, applications, academic achievements and an essay detailing their view of Culture and Diversity in the workplace and the impact it has on their future career interests.

The students are working in public and private businesses throughout the Columbus area. Work site partners include government offices; legal, financial and architectural firms; institutions of higher education; early development programs; and others. Members of the Operation Brightside team, ranging from ages 14-18, are paid $5.25 per hour, compensating them 30 hours per week for an eight-week period.

A portion of the 30 hours includes personal development training and Friday field trips. Those trips include visits to Central State University, Wilberforce University, Otterbein College, the Ohio State University and the University of Akron; Ohio Health, DuPont Manufacturing and State Farm Insurance.

The program concludes August 9, 2008 with a recognition luncheon at the Gateway Wellness Center, 112 Jefferson Avenue, in Columbus.

This year, Anheuser-Busch will contribute nearly $500,000 to sponsor Operation Brightside and similar programs throughout the 12 cities in the United States in which it operates breweries.

Anheuser-Busch, the parent company of the Columbus brewery, and its charitable foundation have contributed more than $1.5 million to the Columbus community over the past decade. The brewery, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, brews and packages the nation’s top-selling beers, Budweiser and Bud Light.

Based in St. Louis, Anheuser‑Busch is the leading American brewer, holding a 48.5 percent share of U.S. beer sales. The company brews the world’s largest-selling beers, Budweiser and Bud Light. Anheuser‑Busch also owns a 50 percent share in Grupo Modelo, Mexico’s leading brewer, and a 27 percent share in China brewer Tsingtao, whose namesake beer brand is the country’s best-selling premium beer. Anheuser-Busch ranked No. 1 among beverage companies in FORTUNE Magazine’s Most Admired U.S. and Global Companies lists in 2008. Anheuser‑Busch is one of the largest theme park operators in the United States, is a major manufacturer of aluminum cans and one of the world’s largest recyclers of aluminum cans. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com.

The Columbus Urban League (CUL), established in 1918, is a non-profit, nonpartisan, civil rights and community-based movement that provides direct services, research and policy advocacy to help individuals and communities reach their fullest potential. The mission of the Columbus Urban League is to enable African Americans and other persons to secure economic self-reliance, parity, power and civil rights. CUL is a United Way Agency and an affiliate of the National Urban League. Please visit www.cul.org or call (614) 257-6300.

To learn more about Operation Brightside T.E.E.N. and/or to volunteer as an adult mentor or future worksite, contact Alethea Gaddis, special project coordinator at the Columbus Urban League, at 257-6300, ext. 309.