EL SEGUNDO, Calif., May 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Mattel announced
today it will provide more than $125,000 in immediate and long-term
disaster relief to support victims of the devastating earthquake in Sichuan
province of China and the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis in southwest Myanmar.
Funds will go to the American Red Cross and Save the Children.
"We share the concern of the global community for the millions of
children and families who have been impacted by the recent natural
disasters around the world," said Kevin Farr, chief financial officer and
chairman of the Mattel Children's Foundation. "As a responsible corporate
citizen, we look to make a meaningful difference with children in need
around the world and, in times of disaster, partner with qualified
charitable organizations to address the urgent and long-term needs of
children affected by those situations."
In response, Mattel is donating $75,000 to our multi-year Signature
Partner, Save the Children, to address the needs of children in China and
Myanmar. Save the Children is one of the few aid organizations with ongoing
operations in both countries, enabling the agency to respond immediately
when the disasters hit. Save the Children has worked in Myanmar since 1995
and has a staff of more than 500 employees who have been delivering food,
water, purification systems, household supplies and materials for shelters
to children and families in the areas hardest hit by the cyclone. In China,
Save the Children is working closely with government officials to create
safe spaces for children to play and learn, as well as looking at the
longer term schooling and education needs of children in the affected
region.
Mattel is also donating $50,000 to the relief efforts of the American
Red Cross in responding to the recent disasters in China and Myanmar, as
well as in the U.S. The American Red Cross is working internationally with
its partner Red Cross and Red Crescent societies to help survivors
following these devastating disasters and supporting the purchase and
distribution of emergency supplies, coordination of relief efforts and
deployment of relief workers to the affected areas. A small portion of the
funding to the American Red Cross will support domestic tornado relief
efforts, which includes providing food, temporary shelter and counseling to
individuals and families affected by the recent storms throughout the South
and Midwest.
In addition, Mattel operations in China and Hong Kong have raised funds
for the China Red Cross and donated much-needed supplies, clothing and
blood to support the earthquake victims. School sponsorships and orphan
assistance will also be a part of their relief efforts. Mattel employees in
Thailand have also extended support, particularly orphan assistance, to the
children impacted by the cyclone in Myanmar.
As we always do in times of disaster, the Mattel Children's Foundation
has opened its Matching Gift Disaster Relief Program, which will match
disaster- related donations made by employees globally to eligible relief
organizations, dollar for dollar.
About the Mattel Children's Foundation:
The Mattel Children's Foundation marks its 30th anniversary in 2008.
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 and matching gifts for Mattel employees. The Foundation grants
funds to organizations directly serving children in need in approximately
40 countries each year. 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), the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation (CAAF) and
the Make-A-Wish Foundation. 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 2008's "100 Best Companies to Work For" by FORTUNE Magazine and
among the 100 Most Trustworthy U.S. Companies by Forbes Magazine. Committed
to ethical manufacturing sustainable business practices, Mattel marked a
10-year milestone in 2007 for its Global Manufacturing Principles. With
worldwide 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 contributes 2% of its pretax profit to its global
philanthropic efforts. Mattel's 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
CONTACT:
Jules Andres of Mattel, Inc.,
+1-310-252-3529, Jules.Andres@mattel.com
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