Toys 'R' Us Children's Fund, Inc. Donates $1.0 Million for Tsunami

    Business Editors/Toy Industry Writers

    WAYNE, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 5, 2005--Toys "R" Us, Inc. announced today that the Toys "R" Us Children's Fund has donated $1.0 million dollars to support the efforts of Save the Children, USA. These funds are earmarked to aid those children and families who have been devastated by the recent tsunamis in Southeastern Asia.
    "This horrible tragedy claimed countless lives, many thousands of them children. Our hearts go out to these countries for their loss," said John Eyler, CEO and President of Toys "R" Us, Inc. "Our hope is that this cash donation will allow Save the Children to continue their immediate relief work and aid the long term goals to help the children and families affected by this tragedy." Added Eyler, "We wanted this significant donation, encouraged by the announcement by former Presidents Bush and Clinton, to prompt other organizations and individuals to give what they can to make a difference."
    Save the Children workers throughout Asia have begun delivering much-needed food, water, medicines, and shelter to thousands of children and their families that have survived one of history's worst natural disasters.
    "We appreciate the outpouring of sympathy and support from Toys "R" Us," said Charles MacCormack, president and CEO of Save the Children USA, based in Westport, CT. "This generous donation will go a long way in providing children affected by this catastrophe with the tools they need to survive and thrive."
    In the hard-hit Aceh province of Indonesia, where Save the Children has operated health, nutrition and job-creation programs for nearly 30 years, relief shipments have arrived and staff are preparing to distribute family survival kits containing an assortment of essential items including toothbrushes, soap, detergent, clothing, kitchen ware, jerry cans for water storage, matches, mosquito nets, small stoves and plastic sheeting for shelter.
    In addition, Save the Children has moved health kits into the region to serve children in about 950 villages. Each kit contains life-saving antibiotics, antimalarial drugs, bandages, fever medicine, sterilizing solution, and wound dressings.
    In Sri Lanka, located more than 1,000 miles away from Indonesia and the epicenter of the earthquake, Save the Children teams have been working round the clock to get emergency assistance to children and their families.

    About Save the Children

    Save the Children is the leading independent organization that creates real and lasting change in the lives of children in need. To learn more, or to make a donation, visit www.savethechildren.org

    About the Toys "R" Us Children's Fund, Inc.

    Since it was founded in 1992, the Toys "R" Us Children's Fund, Inc. has donated millions of dollars every year to organizations and charities that support the health and welfare of children. Because children are at the heart and soul of our business, Toys "R" Us and its family of brands feel a strong sense of responsibility to do whatever we can to make the lives of children happier and healthier. Funds raised through The Toys "R" Us Children's Fund are used to support The Kids' Playroom Program, Reading Ready - an early childhood reading program, Toys For Tots and numerous other children's causes.

    About Toys "R" Us

    Toys "R" Us, Inc., one of the world's leading retailers of toys, baby products and children's apparel, operates toy stores in the United States; international toy stores, including franchised and licensed stores; Babies "R" Us stores and Geoffrey stores. Toys "R" Us, Inc. currently sells merchandise through 1,504 stores worldwide: 680 toy stores in the United States; 603 international toy stores including licensed and franchise stores; 216 Babies "R" Us stores, and 5 Geoffrey stores. Toys "R" Us, Inc. also sells merchandise through its Internet sites at www.toysrus.com, www.babiesrus.com, www.imaginarium.com and www.sportsrus.com.

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CONTACT: Toys "R" Us, Inc. Susan McLaughlin, 973-617-5900 mclaughs@toysrus.com or Save the Children, USA Colleen Sutton, 202-261-4694 cbsutton@dc.savechildren.org

KEYWORD: CONNECTICUT NEW JERSEY INTERNATIONAL ASIA PACIFIC INDUSTRY KEYWORD: CONSUMER/HOUSEHOLD APPAREL/TEXTILES RETAIL SOURCE: Toys "R" Us, Inc.

Copyright Business Wire 2005