EL SEGUNDO, Calif., April 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Mattel, Inc.,
the Mattel Children's Foundation and the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America
announced a new three-year national partnership today that will help grant
the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.
The partnership builds upon Mattel's 10-year relationship with the
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Los Angeles. This national partnership
includes: $100,000 in the first year to support wish-granting activities;
the development of unique Fashion Fever(R) Barbie(R) dolls and custom Hot
Wheels(R) cars for every new wish child in the United States; and the
granting of specific wishes through Mattel brands, including American
Girl(R), Barbie(R) and Hot Wheels(R).
"By expanding our partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to the
national level, we can enrich the lives of even more seriously ill
children," said Kevin Farr, chairman of the Mattel Children's Foundation
and chief financial officer of Mattel, Inc. "We are pleased to support the
nation's largest wish-granting organization and share the power of a wish."
Mattel grants several wishes each year. For example, this spring Mattel
is working with a wish child to design a game inspired by his battle with
cancer. During the last 10 years, Mattel has also supported the Greater Los
Angeles chapter and more recently Make-A-Wish(R) International affiliates
through the Mattel Children's Foundation International Grants Program in
Belgium, Greece and Holland.
In addition to supporting wish-granting activities, Mattel will make
6,000 custom Hot Wheels(R) and 6,000 special Fashion Fever(R) Barbie(R)
dolls, which will serve as "ice-breaker" gifts for new wish kids in the
United States. Mattel employees also have the opportunity to volunteer with
the Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Texas in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and
also the Greater Los Angeles chapter through wish granting, as well as
sponsorship of the Los Angeles chapter's gala and Season of Wishes events.
The volunteer program is expected to expand to other locations in the
future.
"We are thrilled that Mattel is making such a great commitment to our
mission," said David Williams, president and chief executive officer of the
Make-A-Wish Foundation of America. "Mattel's generous spirit and
enthusiastic employees will help us bring hope, strength and joy to our
wish kids."
About The Make-A-Wish Foundation
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with
life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with
hope, strength and joy. Born in 1980 when a group of caring individuals
helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the
Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 69
chapters in the United States and its territories. With the help of
generous donors and nearly 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation
has granted more than 148,000 wishes in the United States since inception.
For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit http://www.wish.org
and discover how you can share the power of a wish.(R)
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. Mattel has partnered 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) and most recently, the Make-A-Wish
Foundation of America. The Mattel Children's Foundation is funded
exclusively by cash donations from Mattel, Inc.
About Mattel
Mattel, Inc., (NYSE: MAT; http://www.mattel.com) is the worldwide leader in
the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products. The
Mattel family is comprised of such best-selling brands as Barbie(R), the
most popular fashion doll ever introduced, Hot Wheels(R), Matchbox(R),
American Girl(R), Radica(R) and Tyco(R) R/C, as well as Fisher-Price(R)
brands, including Little People(R), Power Wheels(R) and a wide array of
entertainment-inspired toy lines. Mattel is recognized as one of the 100
Most Trustworthy U.S. Companies by Forbes Magazine and is ranked among the
100 Best Corporate Citizens by CRO Magazine. Committed to ethical
manufacturing practices, Mattel marks a 10-year milestone in 2007 for its
ever-evolving Global Manufacturing Principles and focus on sustainable
business practices. With global headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel
employs more than 30,000 people in 43 countries and territories and sells
products in more than 150 nations. Mattel's vision is to be the world's
premier toy brands -- today and tomorrow.
SOURCE Mattel, Inc.
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.wish.org
http://www.mattel.com
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/540363.html /
CONTACT:
Jules Andres, Corporate Communications of
Mattel, Inc., +1-310-252-3529, Jules.Andres@mattel.com
|
