California Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Recognizes
Mattel Program
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Sept. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Mattel
Children's Foundation (NYSE: MAT) today announced the recipients of its
domestic grants for 2006. Thirty-seven nonprofit organizations directly
serving children in need in 21 states will receive $400,000 in total grants
funded by the Foundation. Grants range from $2,500 to $25,000, with an
average grant amount of approximately $10,000 per organization.
These grants follow recognition earlier this week by the California
Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports honoring Mattel's efforts
to promote active play and well-being among California's children, and in
particular the company's partnership with Special Olympics.
"The Mattel Children's Foundation is delighted to support such a varied
group of worthy organizations that directly help children and reflect our
vision of making a meaningful difference, one child at a time," said Kevin
Farr, chairman of the Mattel Children's Foundation and chief financial
officer of Mattel. "Through these grants, Mattel will help improve the
lives of hundreds of thousands of children in need nationwide."
The 37 organizations receiving grants this year were selected based on
their creative approaches and demonstrated effectiveness of programs that
directly impact children in need and their focus on one of the Foundation's
three priority areas: promotion of health and active lifestyles; learning
and literacy; and girls' self-esteem and self-empowerment. The grants will
fund either general operating needs or specific projects. Almost 1,000
grant applications were submitted by non-profit organizations across the
country.
"We are proud to assist these organizations and continue our mission of
helping children in need," said Deidre Lind, executive director of the
Mattel Children's Foundation. "This grant cycle continues to expand upon
the success of our philanthropic programs, which we relaunched in 2005."
The Mattel Children's Foundation funds will enable selected
organizations to serve rural and urban communities across the U.S. For
example, grant funds will support:
New Hope Center, Mississippi: To provide self-esteem counseling to
Hurricane Rita victims and assist girls in making good decisions through
the Look Better, Feel Better, Self-Esteem Enhancement Program.
DC Creative Writing Workshop, Washington, D.C.: To teach more than 700
at-risk youth the joy of self-expression through in-class creative writing
and after-school drama and writing clubs, as well as the opportunity for
publication in three literacy magazines.
PowerPlay NYC, New York: To educate and empower girls with sports and
building essential skills through the STARS program, which promotes
physical activity and healthy living habits.
Time for Life, Connecticut: To support the emotional, physical and
financial impact of a childhood cancer diagnosis for that child and family
through a Resource Center, art programs, workshops and seminars.
For a full listing of grant recipients, please visit:
http://www.Mattel.com/About_Us/Philanthropy/.
The Mattel Children's Foundation will award grants again in 2007.
Applications and guidelines will be available January 1, 2007, at
http://www.Mattel.com/About_Us/Philanthropy/.
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). The Mattel Children's Foundation is
funded exclusively by cash donations from Mattel, Inc.
2006 Grant Recipients
Priority Area: Girls Self-Esteem and Self-Empowerment
The Center for Families Shreveport, LA
Family of Humanity Hollywood, FL
Figure Skating in Harlem New York, NY
Francis Allen Institute of Teaching & Lebanon, IN
Thinking with Head & Heart, Inc.
Lower Eastside Girls Club New York, NY
New Hope Center, Inc. Gulfport, MS
PowerPlay NYC, Inc. New York, NY
Smart-Girl, Inc. Denver, CO
Strong Women, Strong Girls, Inc. Boston, MA
Priority Area: Health & Well-being of Children
Affinity Films, Inc. Anchorage, AK
Cheerful Givers Eagan, MN
Community Services of Swain Bryson City, NC
Discovery Arts Tustin, CA
Fit 4 Free Los Angeles, CA
Friends of South Bay Juvenile Redondo Beach, CA
Diversion
Health Solutions 4 Life Albany, GA
The Heart Touch Project Santa Monica, CA
Impact Beyond, Inc. Chicago, IL
Los Angeles Rod and Reel Club Manhattan Beach, CA
Foundation
Marathon Kids Austin, TX
MicheLee Puppets, Inc. Orlando, FL
New York Society for Prevention of New York, NY
Cruelty to Children
Pickens County Family Resource Carrollton, AL
Center
Project for Neighborhood Aftercare Nashville, TN
Quiet Creek Herb Farm & School Brookville, PA
Country Living
Smiling Kids Southborough, MA
Soccer in the Streets Atlanta, GA
Time for Life Corporation West Hartford, CT
Priority Area: Literacy & Learning
Behind the Book New York, NY
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Educational Los Angeles, CA
Athletic Foundation
DC Creative Writing Workshop Washington, DC
Just Buffalo Literary Center, Inc. Buffalo, NY
Learning Together Family Literacy, Inc. Holmen, WI
Literacy Network of Greater Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH
Reading to Kids Los Angeles, CA
Rolling Readers USA, Inc. San Diego, CA
St. Anthony Community Center Dallas, TX
SOURCE Mattel, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.Mattel.com/About_Us/Philanthropy/
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/540363.html /
CONTACT:
Jules Andres, Corporate Communications of
Mattel, +1-310-252-3529, Jules.Andres@mattel.com
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