Mattel to Donate One Toy for Every Order Made Online at MattelShop.com and Fisher-PriceStore.com (image: mynameisharsha/ Flickr)
ATLANTA, July 10, 2014 (Korea Bizwire)–Building on a successful multi-year partnership that has helped thousands of young people learn, grow and play, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) and Mattel (MAT) today announced a new toy and game donation program to provide children with greater access to play.
Called “Share the Play,” the program is simple: for every online order placed by consumers at Mattel’s online toy stores (http://MattelShop.com and http://Fisher-PriceStore.com), Mattel will donate a toy to BGCA. Through the program, up to 250,000 toys will be distributed to BGCA’s nationwide network of 4,100 Clubs.
“Our mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible adults,” said Julie Teer, senior vice president of resource development, Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “Our research shows that kids who attend our Clubs more often achieve greater outcomes. Creating a fun Club Experience is an important component to keeping kids engaged and attending the Club. Through Mattel’s donation of new toys and games and the public’s support of this cause campaign, we’re helping Clubs create a fun, engaging environment that enables kids to achieve great futures.”
From now through December 31, 2014 every qualifying order made online at http://MattelShop.com and http://Fisher-PriceStore.com will result in a toy donation to BGCA. Mattel will donate a minimum of 200,000 toys to BGCA through the program, with a goal of 250,000 toy donations to the organization.
“We believe in the power of play, and the crucial link between play and a child’s learning and development,” said Robert Goodwin, executive director of the Mattel Children’s Foundation. “Boys & Girls Clubs offer an opportunity for children to play in a safe, constructive environment, and we’re proud to support Clubs and help children across the United States.”
Through its ongoing partnership with BGCA, Mattel has helped the organization create more opportunities to provide kids with access to play and fun. Child development begins with play, and Mattel is committed to supporting BGCA in its mission to help millions of children in the U.S. Through contributions and in-kind donations totaling more than $1 million since 2013, Mattel has helped create an enjoyable and purposeful experience at Clubs that keeps children coming back.
Mattel is committed to its vision of Creating the Future of Play through creating great toys, as well as giving back two percent of pretax profit through philanthropic programs. By partnering with charitable organizations dedicated to directly serving children, Mattel creates joy through the Mattel Children’s Foundation, product donations, grant making and the work of employee volunteers.
“We’re incredibly proud to partner with Mattel to provide opportunities for kids to learn, grow and play,” added Teer. “We hope the public joins the cause program to ‘Share the Play’ and support kids in communities across the country.”
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,100 Clubs serve nearly 4 million young people annually through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at http://www.bgca.org/facebook and http://bgca.org/twitter.
About Mattel
The Mattel family of companies (MAT) is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products. Mattel’s portfolio of best-selling brands includes Barbie®, the most popular fashion doll ever produced, Hot Wheels®, Monster High®, American Girl®, Thomas & Friends® and Fisher-Price® brands, including Little People® and Power Wheels®, MEGA® Brands, including MEGA BLOKS® and RoseArt®, as well as a wide array of entertainment-inspired toy lines. In 2013, Mattel was named one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies” by Ethisphere Magazine and in 2014 ranked No. 5 on Corporate Responsibility Magazine’s “100 Best Corporate Citizens” list. With worldwide headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel’s companies employ nearly 30,000 people in 40 countries and territories and sell products in more than 150 nations. At Mattel, we are Creating the Future of Play. Visit us at www.mattel.com, www.facebook.com/mattel or www.twitter.com/mattel.
Source: Mattel (via BusinessWire)
