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Friday, April 20, 2007

Toys 'R' Us Children's Fund Hosts Annual Fundraising Gala

Nearly $5 Million Raised to Support Organizations that Help Children in
Need

WAYNE, N.J., April 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Last night, the Toys "R" Us
Children's Fund hosted its 22nd annual gala in New York City, raising
approximately $5 million to benefit children in need. Uniting leaders from
the toy and baby products industries for a special evening of entertainment
and fundraising, the event was hosted by comedian Martin Short and featured
a performance by GRAMMY(R) Award-winning sensation Trisha Yearwood, with a
special appearance by country music star Garth Brooks. Established in 1985,
this annual benefit has raised more than $77 million since its inception
and is one of the largest single-night fundraising events held in New York
City.
"Children are the heart and soul of what we do. We are extremely proud
that this gala provides the opportunity to impact so many lives so
positively," said Jerry Storch, Chairman and CEO, Toys "R" Us, Inc. "Money
raised through this year's gala will be used to further the mission of the
Toys "R" Us Children's Fund to help all children in need."
In the past year, the Toys "R" Us Children's Fund has concentrated its
efforts on key initiatives where a significant impact could be made: the
Marine Toys for Tots Foundation holiday toy drive, raising funds and
awareness for Autism Speaks and providing assistance to anyone who loves a
child with a disability through the Toys "R" Us Toy Guide for
Differently-Abled Kids. Here are some of the program highlights:
Annual Holiday Partnership with the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation
In 2006, Toys "R" Us, Inc. joined forces with the Marine Toys for Tots
Foundation for the third consecutive year to help bring smiles and joy to
America's neediest children. As the largest partner in the history of Toys
for Tots, the Toys "R" Us Children's Fund has raised over $10.5 million and
collected more than 600,000 toys since the partnership began. This past
holiday season, the Toys "R" Us Children's Fund helped Toys for Tots
provide toys to a record 7.6 million children living in poverty in the
United States. In addition, all Toys "R" Us and Babies "R" Us stores across
the country served as the "Giving Headquarters," launching an extensive
educational program to help parents teach their kids about the value of
giving back to their communities.
National Partnership with Autism Speaks
Earlier this year, Toys "R" Us and the Toys "R" Us Children's Fund
began their partnership with Autism Speaks to help fund crucial autism
research and advocacy. The Toys "R" Us Children's Fund kicked off the
partnership with a $250,000 grant to the organization, and Toys "R" Us
serves as the national sponsor of the Walk Now for Autism program, a series
of more than 60 fundraising events in communities across the country.
Additionally, in conjunction with Autism Awareness Month, all Toys "R" Us
stores nationwide are currently conducting an in-store fundraising and
awareness campaign to support Autism Speaks, with a goal of raising $1
million. As part of the program, Toys "R" Us created the "Ten Toys that
Speak to Autism," a unique list that features toys that promote skills that
aid an autistic child's development.
The Toys "R" Us Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids
For more than a decade, Toys "R" Us has released its Toy Guide for
Differently-Abled Kids, an easy-to-use selection guide for parents and
friends of children with disabilities. The complimentary guide, available
in all Toys "R" Us stores and online at http://www.Toysrus.com, is developed in
conjunction with the National Lekotek Center and features specially
selected toys that promote the development of children with physical and
cognitive disabilities. Since its inception in 1994, thousands of people
have relied on the guide to help them determine which toys are suitable for
a child's particular abilities. The Toys "R" Us Children's Fund is proud to
have supported the National Lekotek Center over the past ten years via
monetary grants.
Each year, the Toys "R" Us Children's Fund donates millions of dollars
to worthwhile children's organizations and charities around the country.
The Fund provided the Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation with a $7
million, multi-year grant to build more than 50 hospital playrooms to
benefit pediatric patients, with an additional 25 playrooms still being
constructed. The Toys "R" Us Children's Fund also provided nearly $500,000
to Kids in Distressed Situations and recently sponsored Dream Halloween
events for the Children Affected by A.I.D.S. Foundation.
About Toys "R" Us, Inc.
Toys "R" Us is the world's leading specialty toy retailer. Currently it
sells merchandise through more than 1,500 stores, including 586 stores in
the U.S. and 683 international toy stores, which includes licensed and
franchise stores, and through its Internet site at http://www.Toysrus.com. Babies
"R" Us is the largest baby product specialty store chain in the world and a
leader in the juvenile industry, and sells merchandise through 253 stores
in the U.S. as well as on the Internet at http://www.Babiesrus.com.

Source : http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/04-20-2007/0004569940&EDATE=

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