Toys “R” Us raises more than $1.5 million for Autism Speaks
-- Kids Today, 5/15/2008 1:55:00 PM
Toys“R”Us and the Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund announced that its second annual nationwide in-store fundraising campaign to benefit Autism Speaks, the nation’s largest autism advocacy organization, raised more than $1.5 million. All Toys“R”Us stores (and the Web site) collected cash donations for Autism Speaks to help fund crucial autism research and advocacy. The campaign coincided with Autism Awareness Month in April.
“We are truly gratified by the generosity of our customers and the support of our employees who made this campaign so successful,” said Jerry Storch, Chairman and CEO, Toys“R”Us, Inc. “At Toys“R”Us, we have a strong commitment to doing whatever we can to improve the lives of children and families in need, and we’re proud that our efforts will help Autism Speaks fund much-needed research to solve the autism puzzle.”
In conjunction with the fundraising campaign, Toys“R”Us, for the second year, also created a special edition of the Toys“R”Us Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids that identifies “Ten Toys That Speak to Autism.” This authoritative resource for families, friends and caregivers of children with autism features everyday toys that promote development of language, creativity and social skills.
“The nationwide response to this campaign speaks volumes about the level of awareness that has been raised about autism in just a few years,” said Mark Roithmayr, President of Autism Speaks. “Toys“R”Us has been a tremendous partner in helping us shine a national spotlight on this disorder, which affects 1.5 million children in the United States. With the support of their customers and employees, we are one step closer to finding a cure for autism.”
Toys“R”Us and the Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund continue to serve as the national sponsor of the Autism Speaks Walk Now for Autism program, a series of more than 75 walk events in cities nationwide. 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.
All money raised in Toys“R”Us stores, online and through the Walk Now for Autism program will go directly to Autism Speaks to help fund research and advocacy efforts. In February, the Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund launched the partnership by providing a $250,000 grant to Autism Speaks.
Last year, Autism Speaks raised more than $27 million through its Walk Now for Autism events, and the fundraising campaign held in Toys“R”Us stores raised an additional $1.1 million to support crucial autism research and advocacy.
Since the partnership began in 2007, Autism Speaks has received $3.2 million through money raised during the Toys“R”Us in-store and online fundraising campaigns and through donations from the Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund and Toys“R”Us, Inc.
