EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Sept. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- American Girl, a
wholly owned subsidiary of Mattel, Inc., in response to the devastation caused
by Hurricane Katrina and the recent challenges brought on by Hurricane Rita,
has announced it will donate hundreds of thousands of books worth more than
$1.5 million to First Book, and thousands of clothing and toy products valued
at more than $1 million to Kids in Distressed Situations, Inc. (K.I.D.S.).
"The number of children displaced by this tragic disaster is astounding,"
said Ellen L. Brothers, president of American Girl, Inc. "If American Girl
books and products can bring a smile to the faces of just some of the
displaced children and their families, then we have made a meaningful
difference in this time of need."
First Book, a national nonprofit organization that is working with
schools, libraries and relief organizations throughout the Gulf Coast region,
will receive nearly 300,000 American Girl books, mostly historical fiction,
appealing to both young girls and boys. With hundreds of thousands of
children currently housed in shelters across the region, providing
distractions such as books will help tremendously as their displaced families
determine more permanent situations.
Thousands of new and unused American Girl clothes, including jackets and
pajamas, as well as plush toys, will be donated to K.I.D.S., a national
charity currently working in coordination with other relief efforts to
distribute children's products to thousands of youth throughout the region.
The American Girl donations are in addition to donations already made by
parent company, Mattel, Inc. Earlier this month, Mattel announced a cash
donation of $100,000 to the American Red Cross, matching of employee donations
up to $250,000 and donations of 100,000 toys, including Hot Wheels,
African-American Barbies and UNO card games, worth up to $1 million to the
American Red Cross and Gifts in Kind International currently being distributed
to shelters throughout the affected regions.
"While it is clear that food and water is the current priority, the
thousands of families displaced from their homes will be in temporary shelters
for weeks and possibly months," said Kevin Farr, chief financial officer of
Mattel, Inc. and chairman of the Mattel Children's Foundation. "We at Mattel
and American Girl understand the power of play and will be working with
organizations to ensure that children have access to toys to provide moments
of much needed relief during the difficult months ahead."
About American Girl
American Girl, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mattel, Inc., the
world's leading toy company. Since American Girl's inception in 1986, the
company has devoted its entire business to celebrating the potential of girls
ages 3 to 12. American Girl encourages girls to dream, to grow, to aspire, to
create, and to imagine through a wide range of insightful books,
age-appropriate and educational dolls and toys, and unforgettable experiences.
In meeting its mission with a vigilant eye toward quality and service,
American Girl has earned the loyal following of millions of girls and the
praise and trust of parents and educators.
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,
including Barbie(R), the most popular fashion doll ever introduced. The
Mattel family is comprised of such best-selling brands as Hot Wheels(R),
Matchbox(R), American Girl(R) and Tyco(R) R/C, as well as Fisher-Price brands
(http://www.fisher-price.com), including Little People(R), Rescue Heroes(R),
Power Wheels(R) and a wide array of entertainment-inspired toy lines. 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 of Mattel, Inc.,
+1-310-252-3529, Jules.Andres@mattel.com; or Julie Parks of
American Girl, Inc., +1-608-836-4848,
Julie.Parks@americangirl.com
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