EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Sept. 29, 2005 -- 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®, the most popular fashion doll ever introduced. The Mattel family is comprised of such best-selling brands as Hot Wheels®, Matchbox®, American Girl® and Tyco® R/C, as well as Fisher-Price brands (http://www.fisher-price.com), including Little People®, Rescue Heroes®, Power Wheels® 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.
