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

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/.