JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (July 11, 2008) – Jacksonville area youth again have the opportunity to gain practical work experience and develop career-planning skills, while earning money this summer. This marks the 26th year that Operation Brightside is providing summer employment for area students from low- to moderate-income families while expanding the services offered by the Jacksonville Urban League, Inc.

By joining the Anheuser-Busch Operation Brightside team, these area students are improving the quality of life for area residents, advancing their education and earning money while they’re doing it. One of the core priorities of the Operation Brightside program is to teach job skills to the participants.

“At Anheuser-Busch, we believe that everyone deserves the chance to learn, grow and prosper, and to have the chance to fulfill their promise. Operation Brightside uniquely prepares students for the next phase in their lives—the world of employment—and provides much-needed summer assistance to community organizations and businesses,” said Steve McDaniel, plant manager, Anheuser-Busch Jacksonville brewery.

“More importantly, this summer program helps build self-esteem and gives these students the confidence they’ll need in the professional world. It shows these students and others around them that there is a sense of accomplishment in helping others.”

According to Richard Danford, Ph.D., Jacksonville area Urban League president, the Anheuser-Busch Jacksonville brewery has worked side-by-side with the Urban League since 1982.

“Learning is a life-long journey and Operation Brightside gives students in the First Coast community a chance to learn the importance of acquiring job skills, the value of the money they earn and the incentive to dedicate themselves to planning their future success,” said Dr. Danford. “The involvement by Anheuser-Busch and the various work-site partners help us demonstrate to our students that lessons learned today will benefit them throughout their lives.”

The 34 students participating in this year’s Operation Brightside program were selected on the basis of their written applications, interviews, academic achievements, letters of recommendation and an essay detailing why they should be hired for the program.

Worksites in and around Jacksonville were chosen according to the students’ diverse career interests and include the Urban League’s administrative office, The MOSH Museum, Dignity-U-Wear, Camp Mountaintop, The Bridge of Northeast Florida, First Coast African American Chamber, Beaver Street Enterprise Center, Worksource and the Jacksonville Urban League’s Head Start Centers.

Team members must be at least 16 years of age. They are paid $6.79 per hour and work six hours a day Monday through Friday for six weeks. During this six-week period, the students participate in an in-service career enhancement day at the Urban League’s administrative office to further develop their computer skills, learn how to prepare a resume, learn job search techniques, learning budgeting and money management, and network with employers. Students will also take part in a diversity training workshop and panel discussion.

A commemorative luncheon will be held July 29 at the Anheuser-Busch brewery to conclude the 2008 Operation Brightside summer activities and program year.

This year, Anheuser-Busch will contribute nearly $500,000 to sponsor Operation Brightside or similar programs in the 12 U.S. cities where it operates breweries.

Anheuser-Busch, the parent company of the Jacksonville brewery, and its charitable foundation have contributed more than $1.5 million to the Jacksonville community during the past decade. The brewery has operated in the First Coast community for 39 years.

Based in St. Louis, Anheuser‑Busch is the leading American brewer, holding a 48.5 percent share of U.S. beer sales. 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.