Partnership to Support the First International Program for CAAF Focused on
Children Orphaned by AIDS
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Oct. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Mattel, Inc.
(NYSE: MAT) and the Mattel Children's Foundation today announced the launch of
a global signature partnership with the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation
(CAAF) that enables CAAF for the first time to expand its work to include
children impacted by HIV and AIDS internationally.
Already having partnered with CAAF for the past decade, Mattel's support
of the CAAF Orphan International Program will support CAAF's efforts to
address the increasing number of children orphaned by AIDS, particularly
focusing on children in Latin America and the Caribbean where the HIV and AIDS
epidemic continues to increase. The Mattel Children's Foundation will provide
funding of $500,000 during the next two years for the program.
"Supporting children in need is a philanthropic cornerstone 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 continues its partnership with the Children Affected by AIDS
Foundation by supporting initial efforts to expand support to children
affected by HIV and AIDS internationally."
CAAF estimates that nearly 13 million children worldwide have been
orphaned by the AIDS-related deaths of their parents. Through the CAAF Orphan
International Program, support will be extended to programs that enhance the
lives of these orphaned children.
"The Mattel Children's Foundation, with this gift, enables us to fulfill
our goal of expanding our programs internationally," said Joe Cristina, CAAF
Founder and Board Chair. "We are grateful to Mattel for its generous support
and ongoing commitment to create real and lasting change for children in
need."
In addition to the Foundation funding, Mattel continues its unique
relationship with CAAF through its sponsorship of CAAF 's three signature
fundraising events, Dream Halloween(R) Chicago, New York and Los Angeles.
Mattel is Founding and Presenting Sponsor of Dream Halloween(R) Los Angeles.
With Mattel volunteers and product donations, CAAF has been able to raise
$2.2 million through its annual Dream Halloween fundraising events to date,
which support all CAAF programs and grants designed to address the needs of
kids both infected with HIV and affected by AIDS through the loss of a parent
or sibling.
About CAAF
CAAF was founded in Los Angeles, CA, in 1993 by Joe Cristina, a Mattel,
Inc. executive whose desire to help children was inspired by the outpouring of
support he received when he disclosed his own HIV+ status. CAAF is the only
organization solely devoted to providing social, educational, recreational and
other critical support programs to vulnerable children impacted by HIV/AIDS in
the U.S. and other countries. While other pediatric AIDS organizations search
for the cure, CAAF is dedicated to caring for children who are infected or
affected by this epidemic now.
CAAF's Domestic and International Grant Making programs provide funds to
community based non-profit organizations for services such as housing, food,
clothing, mental health care and support groups. The foundation's initiative
programs allow them to address the unmet needs of children affected by AIDS.
Internationally, CAAF focuses on improving the quality of life for children
that are orphaned due to AIDS specifically in Latin America and the Caribbean.
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 of Mattel, Inc.,
+1-310-252-3529, Jules.Andres@mattel.com; or Jonathan Heit of
CAAF, +1-310-907-5380, Jonathan@Allisonpr.com
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