Award recipients, ages 7 to 13, win $5,000 each to fund creative pursuits

ENFIELD, Conn., July 9, 2008 -- LEGO Systems Inc. today awarded five creative children, ages seven to 13, with $5,000 each as part of the second annual LEGO® Creativity Awards. From March 5, 2008 to May 23, 2008, more than 1,000 children from across the U.S. and Canada submitted essay responses highlighting a breadth and depth of creativity. LEGO Systems funds the awards to recognize and encourage children's individual creativity as part of LEGO Creation Nation, a program that unearths, celebrates and cultivates people who embrace lifelong creativity. The five winning award recipients are: Luke M., 9, of Manchester, CT; Richard P., 7, of Hodgenville, KY; Kaitlyn B., 13, of Mint Hill, NC; Stephen V., 13, of Tucson, AZ; and Max W., 12, of Natick, MA.

"In our second year of recognizing the power of children's creativity, we continue to be inspired by the diverse ways in which children are applying creativity to solve problems and bring joy to those around them," said Soren Torp Laursen, President, LEGO Systems. "We see the importance of creativity and innovation in our daily work experience here at LEGO Group, so we are excited to reward children who are demonstrating creative spirit at an early age to continue to make creative contributions to their families and communities. Our annual LEGO Creativity Awards encourage the creative potential of the builders of tomorrow as they begin to shape our future, just as other programs and genius grants recognize and inspire creative thinking among adults."

The 2008 LEGO Creativity Awards recipients each demonstrated creativity in his/her unique way.

• Luke M. (9 years old) Inspired by a documentary on movie making, Luke produced his own stop animation movie featuring a day at the beach with realistic characters and props.

• Richard P. (7 years old) Richard's grandmother has lupus and is unable to drive or travel to see her grandchildren. To brighten Granny's day and show his love, Richard designs mazes or word puzzles with messages of love embedded in the puzzles.

• Kaitlyn B. (13 years old) Kaitlyn started an organization called Ladybugs for Leukemia, a babysitting service that donates half its profits to leukemia research and patient assistance.

• Stephen V. (13 years old) Stephen invented two prototypes for baseball gloves that allow players to catch and throw baseballs with the same hand. The invention allows people with cerebral palsy, like Stephen, to play baseball and make faster plays.

• Max W. (12 years old) Determined to help his grandmother find relief for her Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Max designed the "Carpal Cushion," an adjustable wrist cushion made of air-filled bubbles. He is working to create more cushions for others in need.

LEGO Creation Nation unearths, celebrates and cultivates people who embrace lifelong creativity and through its online web presence, events, and LEGO Creativity Awards, seeks to encourage children to become creative problem solvers and builders of tomorrow. To read profiles of creativity in action, test the strength of your inner creator and find tips for bringing creativity to home and work visit http://www.LEGOcreationnation.com.

LEGO Systems Inc. (LSI) is the Americas (North America and Latin America) division of the LEGO Group, a privately-held firm based in Billund, Denmark. The LEGO Group is committed to the development of children's creative and imaginative abilities through high-quality, creatively educational play materials, and its employees are guided by the motto adopted in the 1930s by founder Ole Kirk Christiansen: "Only the best is good enough." For more information, visit http://www.LEGO.com.