Partnership to Support Education Programs Worldwide
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., April 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Mattel, Inc.
(NYSE: MAT) and the Mattel Children's Foundation today announced the launch of
a global signature partnership with Save the Children to create educational
opportunities for young children worldwide. The two-year partnership will
focus on implementation of the Early Childhood Literacy Program in remote,
rural and disenfranchised communities in the United States and educational
programs in six additional countries in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The
Mattel Children's Foundation will provide an initial funding donation of
$600,000.
"Education is an important philanthropic priority at Mattel," said Kevin
Farr, Chairman of the Mattel Children's Foundation and Chief Financial Officer
of Mattel, Inc. "As part of our effort to expand the company's philanthropic
reach on a global scale, the Mattel Children's Foundation selected Save the
Children as a signature partner because of the organization's commitment and
success in improving early childhood education and expanding access to
education for children worldwide."
The components of the global partnership include:
* A literacy program in Uganda, the Philippines and Guinea that
encourages parents to become active participants in their child's
education
* An initiative to establish community schools in Mali and Malawi
* A school-readiness program in Afghanistan to prepare children for the
transition to school
* Literacy projects in the rural areas of Appalachia (Kentucky and
Tennessee), Georgia, Mississippi and South Carolina featuring a
take-home book bag program for young children to encourage parent
involvement in education.
"Education is a powerful investment in the well-being of children," said
Charles MacCormack, President and CEO of Save the Children. "We are grateful
to Mattel for its generous support and commitment to create real and lasting
change for children in need."
About Save the Children
Save the Children is the leading independent organization creating real
and lasting change for children in need in the United States and in more than
40 countries around the world. Save the Children is a member of the
International Save the Children Alliance, comprising 27 independent, national
Save the Children organizations working in more than 100 countries to ensure
the well-being of children.
About the Mattel Children's Foundation
The Mattel Children's Foundation was established in 1978. With a vision
of "making a meaningful difference, one child at a time," the Foundation
provides cash grants through domestic and international grantmaking programs,
as well as international scholarships to children of employees, matching gifts
and volunteer grants for Mattel employees. In addition, the Foundation
continues its tradition of partnering with exemplary nonprofit partners. In
2005, Mattel will partner with Special Olympics, Save the Children, the Mattel
Children's Hospital at UCLA, the National Association of Children's Hospitals
and Related Institutions (NACHRI) and the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation
(CAAF). The Mattel Children's Foundation is funded exclusively by cash
donations from Mattel, Inc.
About Mattel, Inc.
Mattel, Inc., (NYSE: MAT, http://www.mattel.com) is the worldwide leader in the
design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products. With worldwide
headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel employs more than 25,000 people in
42 countries and sells products in more than 150 nations throughout the world.
The Mattel vision is to be the world's premier toy brands -- today and
tomorrow.
SOURCE Mattel, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.mattel.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/540363.html
CONTACT:
Jules Andres, Corporate Communications of
Mattel, Inc., +1-310-252-3529, Jules.Andres@mattel.com; or
Colleen Sutton of Save the Children, +1-202-261-4694,
Cbsutton@dc.savechildren.org
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