Toys 'R' Us Raises More Than $1.1 Million to Help Autism Speaks Combat The Nation's Fastest-Growing Developmental Disorder

WAYNE, N.J., May 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Toys "R" Us and the Toys "R" Us Children's Fund announced that their nationwide campaign to benefit Autism Speaks raised more than $1.1 million to support crucial autism research and advocacy. For seven weeks, as part of Autism Awareness Month, all Toys "R" Us stores across the country, and http://www.toysrus.com/, collected cash donations in an effort to help solve the puzzle of autism. All money raised during the campaign will go directly to Autism Speaks to fund important autism research programs and help provide a voice for children affected by the disorder.

"We were truly gratified by the tremendous outpouring of support we received from our customers, employees, and communities for this initiative that will further the important works of Autism Speaks," said Jerry Storch, Chairman and CEO, Toys "R" Us, Inc. "The mission of the Toys "R" Us Children's Fund is to help children in need, and we are pleased that our fundraising efforts will benefit the more than 1.5 million kids and families in the United States impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorders."

In conjunction with the fundraising campaign, Toys "R" Us created the "Ten Toys That Speak to Autism," a unique resource for families, friends and caregivers of children with autism. This special list features everyday toys that promote skills that contribute to an autistic child's development. The list also includes early warning signs of autism to provide customers with important information on the disorder. The list continues to be available at http://www.toysrus.com/autismspeaks.

"We are thrilled with the results of the Toys "R" Us in-store fundraising campaign, which far exceeded our expectations," said Mark Roithmayr, President of Autism Speaks. "Toys "R" Us has been a tremendous partner and because of its dedication to this campaign we are one step closer to finding a cure for autism."

In addition to the fundraising campaign, Toys "R" Us currently serves as the national sponsor of the Autism Speaks Walk Now for Autism program, a series of more than 60 fundraising walk events occurring over ten months in cities from coast-to-coast. Across the country, Toys "R" Us employees are joining in the effort by forming teams in their local communities to participate in the walk events.

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 684 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 254 stores in the U.S. as well as on the Internet at http://www.babiesrus.com/.