Remember your mentor

"It's amazing how sharing can really lift your spirits," says Hewitt during the PSA. "Take time to connect with someone in your life. If you don't have someone, Big Brothers Big Sisters can help."

The PSA promotes BBBSA's mission to match children at-risk throughout the United States with mentors that work to make a difference in their lives. As a result of the caring relationship between Big Brothers Big Sisters mentors and their "Little Brothers" and "Little Sisters," these children are:

-- 46 percent less likely to begin using illegal drugs

-- 27 percent less likely to begin using alcohol

-- 52 percent less likely to skip school

-- 37 percent less likely to skip a class

-- More confident of their performance in schoolwork

-- One-third less likely to hit someone

-- Getting along better with their families

To help BBBSA fundraising initiatives, Hewitt has exclusively designed a limited-edition Xpress-on color cover for the Nokia 5100 series phones. These covers will be auctioned on eBay, with all proceeds from sales going to BBBSA.

BBBSA's goal is to serve one million children annually. For this public service campaign, Nokia and BBBSA have called for local involvement and support to recruit more volunteers to make a positive impact in the lives of these children. Since 1904, BBBSA programs in all 50 states have matched children with mentors who provide meaningful friendships and fun experiences. Currently in the United States, there are more than 30,000 children currently waiting for a Big Brother or Big Sister.

"For almost a century, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America has helped to partner America's youth with strong mentors," said Judy Vrendenburgh, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. "We are thrilled about Ms. Hewitt's commitment to our organization and know her participation, along with Nokia's sponsorship, will increase awareness and help us promote our new 'Friends' program."

The Jennifer Love Hewitt PSA introduction ties into the launch of BBBSA's Friends Program, a national membership "alumni" program dedicated to reaching out and reconnecting an estimated one million "Bigs" and "Littles" in the United States who have been touched by BBBSA and the organization's mission. To support the Friends Program, Nokia and BBBSA have declared September "Remember Your Mentor Month," encouraging people to remember those individuals who have had a positive impact on their lives. Nokia plans to arrange media appearances for Ms. Hewitt during the month in an effort to motivate the 1,000,000 past BBBSA mentors to register their contact information on the Friends Web site at www.bbbsa.org and inspire individuals to locate those who have made a positive impact on their lives.

"Nokia is proud to have produced the PSA and the limited-edition Xpress-on 5100 series covers with Jennifer Love Hewitt in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America's volunteerism efforts," said Debra Kennedy, director, consumer marketing for Nokia. "We hope our 'connect with someone who cares' message will be a valuable contribution in the lives of America's youth, and will inspire others to become a 'Big Brother' or 'Big Sister' for one of the thousands of children currently waiting for a mentor."

Nokia's relationship with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America began three years ago to support volunteerism efforts. The philosophy of Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring programs mirrors Nokia's "Connecting People" company purpose. Through this partnership, Nokia is helping BBBSA achieve their goal to connect children with caring mentors and to serve 202,000 children by June 2001.

About Nokia

Nokia is paving the way to the Mobile Information Society with its innovative products and solutions. The company is the leading mobile phone supplier and a leading supplier of mobile, broadband and IP networks, related services as well as multimedia terminals. In 1999, Nokia's net sales totaled EUR 19.8 billion (USD 19.9 billion). Headquartered in Finland, Nokia is listed on the New York (NOK), Helsinki, Stockholm, London, Frankfurt and Paris stock exchanges and employs more than 60,000 people.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of America

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) has been the nationally recognized leader in youth mentoring for almost 100 years. Big Brothers Big Sisters provides meaningful community and school-based mentoring relationships for millions of children through its more than 500 affiliated agencies reaching 5,000 communities. BBBSA's national growth goal is to serve 202,000 by June 2001.