Speaking this week at the Clinton Global Initiative, Paul Pierce made it clear just how important it is to him to help children lead healthier lives, and how determined he is to reclaim the NBA title with the Boston Celtics.

As reported by the Associated Press:

The Boston Celtics star created ''The Truth on Health Campaign'' as part of his charitable foundation. It includes a Web-based club that encourages kids aged 10-14 to make a one-year pledge to eat healthy and participate in an hour of physical activity each day.

Pierce announced his plans at the Clinton Global Initiative this week.

The Web site will include monthly challenges, healthy recipes and rewards programs.

Pierce says he wishes he had known more about proper nutrition growing up. He has seen from his nephews how children are less active than when he was a youth.

THRILLED TO MEET CLINTON
For Paul, one of the highlights of partcipating in the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) was having a chance to meet the man it is named after.

Paul with former president Bill Clinton and Usher (Paul Morse).

In an interview with CBS Sportsline, the Truth talked about former president Bill Clinton:

"Just being in the presence of somebody of his stature. I was just like, 'Wow, a guy that once ran our country. A guy of such influence.' Just to be around him and shake his hand and get a couple of minutes with him. We were at a reception [Wednesday] night that he had. We went upstairs where there were a lot of business leaders. I caught him in passing and shook his hand. Took a picture. I mentioned to him what I was doing and he thought it was really great."

Other participants at the CGI included Brad Pitt, Barbra Streisand, Goldie Hawn, and Jessica Alba.

FEATURED ON THE GRIO
Paul's work to fight childhood obesity was also featured on the NBC web site, www.thegrio.com.

"THE TEAM TO BEAT"
In an interview with Yahoo's Marc Spears this week, Paul made it perfectly clear who he thought the favorite was to win the NBA championship next season.

“Before the season even started last year, I was asked, ‘What is going to stop y’all from winning it all?’ ” Pierce said in a phone interview on Thursday. “The first thing I said was, ‘If we’re healthy, we’re going to win it all.’ And I’m going to say it again: ‘If we are healthy, we are going to win it all.’

“I honestly believe that. I think we’re the best team in the NBA, healthy.”

RELATED STORIES
Pierce dishes Truth on Clinton, Garnett, Celtics' title hopes (AP, Sept. 25, 2009)
http://www.cbssports.com/columns/story/12262854
Pierce declares Celtics as ‘team to beat’ (Yahoo, Sept. 24, 2009)
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Al7lhGoLGqMp8fviWMIGbwy8vLYF?slug=mc-pierceceltics092409&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
Paul Pierce's Campaign Fights Childhood Obesity (AP, Sept. 24, 2009)
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/09/24/sports/AP-BKN-Celtics-Pierces-Campaign.html