Toys"R"Us Children's Fund Donates $500,000 to Save the Children to Support Initial Relief Efforts in the Wake of Hurricane Sandy

WAYNE, N.J., Oct. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, today the Toys"R"Us Children's Fund announced it will make a $500,000 donation to Save the Children, a global humanitarian organization, to support its initial work and assessment of needs for children and families in evacuation shelters. These funds will also help the organization distribute much-needed items, including hygiene kits, diapers, and baby wipes.

Over the past few days, approximately 14,000 employees from "R" Us stores, Distribution Centers and the company's Corporate Headquarters in Wayne, NJ have been impacted in some way as a result of Hurricane Sandy's destructive path in 10 states along the East Coast of the United States. At this time, there have been no reports of employee injuries or of extensive damages to any of the company's facilities. Some impacted stores remain closed, but the company is working to get them fully operational as soon as possible to serve the needs of local communities.  Store hours have been expanded in stores that have reopened to help customers secure baby necessities and other essentials.

Save the Children has led disaster preparedness and risk reduction programs throughout America in recent years in order to minimize the devastating impact of storms like Hurricane Sandy on children. The organization has a long history of responding in the areas hardest hit by this storm and has helped provide safe space relief supplies and other essential support.  

Toys"R"Us, Inc. customers and employees are being encouraged to donate to the "Hurricane Sandy Children in Emergency Fund" at savethechildren.org. In addition, company employees impacted by Hurricane Sandy are being supported through the Geoffrey Fund, a Toys"R"Us program which offers financial assistance in times of hardship and allows employees to help one another.

With this donation, Toys"R"Us, Inc. and the Toys"R"Us Children's Fund together have provided product and monetary donations totaling more than $4.2 million specifically to 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 in the U.S. and abroad.

About the Toys"R"Us Children's Fund

The Toys"R"Us Children's Fund is a public charity affiliated with Toys"R"Us, Inc., a company that unabashedly declares "We love kids!" The core mission of the Toys"R"Us Children's Fund is to keep children safe and help them in times of need. Since it was founded in 1992, the Toys"R"Us Children's Fund has contributed millions of dollars to qualified organizations that support that mission, including those providing disaster relief to children and families who are victims of large-scale crises. The Toys"R"Us Children's Fund also provides grants to leading organizations that support children with special needs. Primary fundraising activities include the annual Toys"R"Us Children's Fund Gala, a private, invitation-only event that showcases the work of the Fund and raises money to support its many beneficiaries. This annual benefit has raised $100 million since its inception in 1985 and is one of the largest single-night fundraising events held in New York City.

About Toys"R"Us, Inc.

Toys"R"Us, Inc. is the world's leading dedicated toy and juvenile products retailer, offering a differentiated shopping experience through its family of brands. Merchandise is sold in 873 Toys"R"Us and Babies"R"Us stores in the United States and Puerto Rico, and in more than 640 international stores and over 150 licensed stores in 35 countries and jurisdictions. In addition, it exclusively operates the legendary FAO Schwarz brand and sells extraordinary toys in the brand's flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City. With its strong portfolio of e-commerce sites including Toysrus.com, Babiesrus.com, eToys.com and FAO.com, it provides shoppers with a broad online selection of distinctive toy and baby products. Headquartered in Wayne, NJ, Toys"R"Us, Inc. employs approximately 70,000 associates annually worldwide. The company is committed to serving its communities as a caring and reputable neighbor through programs dedicated to keeping kids safe and helping them in times of need. Additional information about Toys"R"Us, Inc. can be found on Toysrusinc.com. Follow Toys"R"Us, Babies"R"Us and FAO Schwarz on Facebook at Facebook.com/Toysrus, Facebook.com/Babiesrus and Facebook.com/FAO and on Twitter at Twitter.com/Toysrus and Twitter.com/Babiesrus.

SOURCE Toys"R"Us, Inc.