EL SEGUNDO, Calif., March 15, 2005 -- Mattel, Inc. and the Mattel Children's Foundation announced today the launch of a three year, global partnership with Special Olympics. Support will focus on the development of three programs, the Young Athletes Program, which will engage youth ages two through seven with intellectual disabilities, the Special Olympics Get Into It(TM) school-based curriculum, which will teach understanding, acceptance and involvement and Team Mattel, which engages Mattel employees as volunteers in the Special Olympics movement around the world. Funding for the first year will total $1 million.
"As we planned for the relaunch of the Mattel Children's Foundation, we considered ways to make a meaningful, global contribution. Our partnership with Special Olympics allows us to do just that," said Kevin Farr, Chief Financial Officer of Mattel, Inc. and Chairman of the Mattel Children's Foundation. "By focusing on sports programs for children with intellectual disability, Mattel employees will bring smiles to children's faces around the world in support of our global philanthropic vision."
This global partnership will enable Special Olympics to expand its youth programs to every continent as well as create the largest global corporate volunteer team in the history of the Special Olympics movement through the creation of Team Mattel. Thousands of Mattel employees in nine international locations, including China, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, Europe and the U.S., will be active participants in local Special Olympics activities. From providing water to athletes at track meets, lacing skates, scorekeeping at basketball tournaments, coaching and providing encouragement and cheers at the finish line, Team Mattel volunteers will be the global corporate support network for Special Olympics participants.
"The support of Mattel's Children's Foundation and Mattel employees globally will not only help grow the Special Olympics movement to reach more of the 180 million people with intellectual disabilities worldwide, but also help us create a world of acceptance for Special Olympics athletes," said Timothy Shriver, Chairman and CEO of Special Olympics.
The Young Athletes Program will expand its successful pilot project to twelve additional locations, six of those in countries outside the U.S., increasing the number of youth involved in Special Olympics on a global scale. Designed for children ages two through seven, the program strengthens physical development and self-esteem by building skills for future sports participation and socialization. Family members and caregivers also are encouraged to become involved as the child learns success through physical activity.
Special Olympics Get Into It(TM) is an in-school curriculum developed to promote acceptance, understanding of children with intellectual disabilities and to encourage involvement among their peers. The additional funding will enable the program to be translated into multiple languages and expanded to 4,000 schools in 35 countries around the world to reach children with and without disabilities.
About Special Olympics
Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives by promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion between people with and without intellectual disabilities. Through year-round sports training and athletic competition and other related programming for 1.4 million children and adults with intellectual disabilities in more than 150 countries, Special Olympics has created a model community that celebrates people's diverse gifts. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship. There is no cost to participate in Special Olympics.
About the Mattel Children's Foundation
The Mattel Children's Foundation seeks to better the lives of children in need around the world through strategic charitable investments and by promoting the spirit of philanthropy and community involvement among Mattel, Inc. employees globally. Established in 1978, the Foundation maintains a commitment to its vision of "making a meaningful difference, one child at a time," through its partnerships with exemplary nonprofit organizations and global and domestic grantmaking programs. The Mattel Children's Foundation is funded exclusively by cash donations from Mattel, Inc.
About Mattel, Inc.
Mattel, Inc., (NYSE: MAT, 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.
