He has been one of the best players over the past decade in the NBA. A clutch performer and champion on the court, Paul Pierce is showing the same leadership and performance off the court.  (See, I can have love for ya even if you don’t play for the Knicks!)

Paul’s latest effort – FitClub34 – is comprehensive in nature and sees him partnering up with others leaders from the world of medicine, business and media to create a sustainable platform that will help kids learn to live healthier lives through smart eating and exercising.

You can learn more about Paul’s work at his website at http://www.paulpierce.net/community.

The full press release can be found at the Providence Journal at http://sportsblog.projo.com/2009/09/paul-pierce-lau.html, with an excerpt below.

BOSTON — Boston Celtics Captain Paul Pierce today announced that he is launching The Truth on Health Campaign, a national effort designed to bring health and fitness to America’s youth. He made the announcement in the company of some of the world’s foremost leaders including Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) in New York City.

The seven-time NBA All-Star will personally oversee the Truth on Health’s signature component, FitClub34, a web-based “Fit” club that provides children with the information, resources, and tools necessary to become more active and physically fit. The program encourages 10-14 year-olds from New England and across the country to make a one-year pledge to eat healthy and engage in sixty minutes of daily physical activity. Harvard Pilgrim Health Care is the title sponsor of FitClub34.

Pierce attended the Clinton Global Initiative to meet with experts on global health and economics in order to share ideas and discuss effective solutions for the critical societal issue of sedentary lifestyles among America’s youth. President Clinton established CGI to turn ideas into action and to facilitate a more integrated global community of shared benefits, responsibilities, and values. By gathering world leaders from a variety of backgrounds, CGI creates a unique opportunity to channel the capacities of individuals and organizations to realize change…

The Truth on Health Campaign is supported by Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, USI Insurance Brokers, Tufts Medical Center, Comcast and Comcast SportsNet.

…

About the Truth Fund
The Truth Fund was founded by Boston Celtics co-captain Paul Pierce in May of 2002. It was developed as a means for Paul to streamline all his charitable efforts and make an impact on the lives of disadvantaged youth in the Greater Boston area as well as in his hometown of Inglewood, CA. The Truth Fund provides Paul with a direct reach into communities, enabling him to make a significant impression in the lives of children, not only as a dedicated athlete but also as a role model and citizen. The Truth Fund’s latest initiative is the Truth on Health Campaign, designed to help encourage healthy lifestyles for young people to prevent obesity. The Truth Fund is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. For more information, visit www.paulpierce.net.

About FitClub34
FitClub34 presented by Harvard Pilgrim is a free club that provides children throughout Greater Boston and New England, ages 10-14, with all the information, resources, and tools necessary to become more active and physically fit. Members must make a promise to lead a healthier lifestyle by eating healthy and exercising for one-hour per day. FitClub34 members receive cool benefits including special invitations to FitClub34 events, exclusive access to the “FitClub34 Members Only” section of Paul Pierce’s official website, the chance to meet Pierce in-person & chat with him online and an official FitClub34 membership card. For more information, visit www.paulpierce.net.

About the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI)
Established in 2005 as a project of the non-partisan William J. Clinton Foundation, the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) convenes global leaders to devise and implement innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Since 2005, CGI members have made more than 1,400 commitments valued at $46 billion, which have already improved more than 200 million lives in 150 countries.