Fundraising Program and Online Auction Help Provide Blankets and Ongoing Support to Babies in Need in the U.S.

WESTPORT, Conn. (Aug. 11, 2009) — Toys"R"Us, Inc. today announced that its Bundled in Hope campaign raised $1 million to help support Save the Children, a leading humanitarian aid agency creating lasting change in the lives of children in need. Funds raised will be used to purchase blankets for babies in need and provide support for Save the Children's early childhood programs in the U.S. 

During the campaign, which launched on Mother's Day, monetary donations were collected at Toys"R"Us and Babies"R"Us stores nationwide and online at Toysrus.com/BundledinHope. An online auction of celebrity-designed, one-of-a-kind baby blankets also garnered donations. All monetary donations, and 100 percent of the winning auction bids, will go directly to Save the Children to help some of the youngest victims of poverty in the United States. 

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"The "R"Us family is pleased to have partnered with Save the Children to help raise money and awareness to improve the lives of millions of children who face poverty each day," said Jerry Storch, chairman and CEO, Toys"R"Us, Inc.  "We are especially proud of the support this campaign received from our customers, employees and communities, as their efforts greatly contributed to the success of the Bundled in Hope campaign."

Mark Shriver, managing director of U.S. Programs. Photo credit: Alex Berliner, Berliner Studio

In conjunction with the in-store and online fundraising campaign, for the first time in the company's history, Toys"R"Us, Inc. offered expectant parents the unique opportunity to raise funds through new and existing baby registries. Registrants participated by encouraging friends and family to donate directly to Save the Children. 

Mark Shriver, vice president and managing director of U.S. Programs for Save the Children, said, "Through the Bundled in Hope campaign, Toys"R"Us will provide support for Save the Children's early childhood development programs and purchase warm blankets for children living in some of the most impoverished regions of the United States. Toys"R"Us has been a tremendous partner and we're grateful for their continued support in the fight against child poverty." 

Historically, Toys"R"Us, Inc. and the Toys"R"Us Children's Fund together have provided product and monetary donations totaling more than $2.3 million to support Save the Chidlren's U.S. programs and aid in Save the Children's efforts to help protect children, ensure their safety in shelters and at community recovery sites and support their emotional recovery during times of disaster. The Bundled in Hope campaign marks a new chapter in this longstanding partnership. To kick off the campaign, the Toys"R"Us Children's Fund provided a $250,000 grant to Save the Children. 

Save the Children is the leading, independent organization that creates lasting change for children in need in the United States and around the world. Save the Children USA is a member of the International Save the Children Alliance, a global network of 27 independent Save the Children organizations working to ensure the well-being and protection of children in more than 120 countries. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.