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TOYS "R" US CHILDREN'S
FUND HOSTS ANNUAL FUNDRAISING GALA
Nearly $5 Million Raised to Support Organizations that Help
Children in Need
WAYNE, NJ (April 20, 2007) - Last night, the Toys "R" Us
Children's Fund hosted its 22nd annual gala in New York City,
raising approximately $5 million to benefit children in need.
Uniting leaders from the toy and baby products industries for a
special evening of entertainment and fundraising, the event was
hosted by comedian Martin Short and featured a performance by
GRAMMY® Award-winning sensation Trisha Yearwood, with a special
appearance by country music star Garth Brooks. Established in 1985,
this annual benefit has raised more than $77 million since its
inception and is one of the largest single-night fundraising events
held in New York City.
"Children are the heart and soul of what we do. We are extremely
proud that this gala provides the opportunity to impact so many
lives so positively," said Jerry Storch, Chairman and CEO, Toys "R"
Us, Inc. "Money raised through this year's gala will be used to
further the mission of the Toys "R" Us Children's Fund to help all
children in need."
In the past year, the Toys "R" Us Children's Fund has concentrated
its efforts on key initiatives where a significant impact could be
made: the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation holiday toy drive, raising
funds and awareness for Autism Speaks and providing assistance to
anyone who loves a child with a disability through the Toys "R" Us
Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids. Here are some of the program
highlights:
Annual Holiday Partnership with the Marine Toys for Tots
Foundation
In 2006, Toys "R" Us, Inc. joined forces with the Marine Toys for
Tots Foundation for the third consecutive year to help bring smiles
and joy to America's neediest children. As the largest partner in
the history of Toys for Tots, the Toys "R" Us Children's Fund has
raised over $10.5 million and collected more than 600,000 toys since
the partnership began. This past holiday season, the Toys "R" Us
Children's Fund helped Toys for Tots provide toys to a record 7.6
million children living in poverty in the United States. In
addition, all Toys "R" Us and Babies "R" Us stores across the
country served as the "Giving Headquarters," launching an extensive
educational program to help parents teach their kids about the value
of giving back to their communities.
National Partnership with Autism Speaks
Earlier this year, Toys "R" Us and the Toys "R" Us Children's Fund
began their partnership with Autism Speaks to help fund crucial
autism research and advocacy. The Toys "R" Us Children's Fund kicked
off the partnership with a $250,000 grant to the organization, and
Toys "R" Us serves as the national sponsor of the Walk Now for
Autism program, a series of more than 60 fundraising events in
communities across the country. Additionally, in conjunction with
Autism Awareness Month, all Toys "R" Us stores nationwide are
currently conducting an in-store fundraising and awareness campaign
to support Autism Speaks, with a goal of raising $1 million. As part
of the program, Toys "R" Us created the "Ten Toys that Speak to
Autism," a unique list that features toys that promote skills that
aid an autistic child's development.
The Toys "R" Us Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids
For more than a decade, Toys "R" Us has released its Toy Guide for
Differently-Abled Kids, an easy-to-use selection guide for parents
and friends of children with disabilities. The complimentary guide,
available in all Toys "R" Us stores and online at www.Toysrus.com,
is developed in conjunction with the National Lekotek Center and
features specially selected toys that promote the development of
children with physical and cognitive disabilities. Since its
inception in 1994, thousands of people have relied on the guide to
help them determine which toys are suitable for a child's particular
abilities. The Toys "R" Us Children's Fund is proud to have
supported the National Lekotek Center over the past ten years via
monetary grants.
Each year, the Toys "R" Us Children's Fund donates millions of
dollars to worthwhile children's organizations and charities around
the country. The Fund provided the Starlight Starbright Children's
Foundation with a $7 million, multi-year grant to build more than 50
hospital playrooms to benefit pediatric patients, with an additional
25 playrooms still being constructed. The Toys "R" Us Children's
Fund also provided nearly $500,000 to Kids in Distressed Situations
and recently sponsored Dream Halloween events for the Children
Affected by A.I.D.S. Foundation.
About Toys "R" Us, Inc. Toys "R" Us is the world's leading
specialty toy retailer. Currently it sells merchandise through more
than 1,500 stores, including 586 stores in the U.S. and 683
international toy stores, which includes licensed and franchise
stores, and through its Internet site at
www.Toysrus.com. Babies "R" Us
is the largest baby product specialty store chain in the world and a
leader in the juvenile industry, and sells merchandise through 253
stores in the U.S. as well as on the Internet at
www.Babiesrus.com.
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