Mattel Announces Disaster Relief Support for China and Myanmar

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., May 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Mattel announced
today it will provide more than $125,000 in immediate and long-term disaster
relief to support victims of the devastating earthquake in Sichuan province of
China and the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis in southwest Myanmar. Funds will go
to the American Red Cross and Save the Children.
"We share the concern of the global community for the millions of children
and families who have been impacted by the recent natural disasters around the
world," said Kevin Farr, chief financial officer and chairman of the Mattel
Children's Foundation. "As a responsible corporate citizen, we look to make a
meaningful difference with children in need around the world and, in times of
disaster, partner with qualified charitable organizations to address the
urgent and long-term needs of children affected by those situations."
In response, Mattel is donating $75,000 to our multi-year Signature
Partner, Save the Children, to address the needs of children in China and
Myanmar. Save the Children is one of the few aid organizations with ongoing
operations in both countries, enabling the agency to respond immediately when
the disasters hit. Save the Children has worked in Myanmar since 1995 and has
a staff of more than 500 employees who have been delivering food, water,
purification systems, household supplies and materials for shelters to
children and families in the areas hardest hit by the cyclone. In China, Save
the Children is working closely with government officials to create safe
spaces for children to play and learn, as well as looking at the longer term
schooling and education needs of children in the affected region.
Mattel is also donating $50,000 to the relief efforts of the American Red
Cross in responding to the recent disasters in China and Myanmar, as well as
in the U.S. The American Red Cross is working internationally with its
partner Red Cross and Red Crescent societies to help survivors following these
devastating disasters and supporting the purchase and distribution of
emergency supplies, coordination of relief efforts and deployment of relief
workers to the affected areas. A small portion of the funding to the American
Red Cross will support domestic tornado relief efforts, which includes
providing food, temporary shelter and counseling to individuals and families
affected by the recent storms throughout the South and Midwest.
In addition, Mattel operations in China and Hong Kong have raised funds
for the China Red Cross and donated much-needed supplies, clothing and blood
to support the earthquake victims. School sponsorships and orphan assistance
will also be a part of their relief efforts. Mattel employees in Thailand
have also extended support, particularly orphan assistance, to the children
impacted by the cyclone in Myanmar.
As we always do in times of disaster, the Mattel Children's Foundation has
opened its Matching Gift Disaster Relief Program, which will match disaster-
related donations made by employees globally to eligible relief organizations,
dollar for dollar.
About the Mattel Children's Foundation:
The Mattel Children's Foundation marks its 30th anniversary in 2008. With
a vision of "making a meaningful difference, one child at a time," the
Foundation provides cash grants through domestic and international grantmaking
programs, as well as international scholarships to children of employees and
matching gifts for Mattel employees. The Foundation grants funds to
organizations directly serving children in need in approximately 40 countries
each year. In addition, the Foundation continues its tradition of partnering
with exemplary nonprofit partners. Mattel has partnered with Special Olympics,
Save the Children, the Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA, the National
Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI), the
Children Affected by AIDS Foundation (CAAF) and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
The Mattel Children's Foundation is funded exclusively by cash donations from
Mattel, Inc.
About Mattel:
Mattel, Inc., (NYSE: MAT) (http://www.mattel.com) is the worldwide leader
in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products. The
Mattel family is comprised of such best-selling brands as Barbie(R), the most
popular fashion doll ever introduced, Hot Wheels(R), Matchbox(R), American
Girl(R), Radica(R) and Tyco(R) R/C, as well as Fisher-Price(R) brands,
including Little People(R), Power Wheels(R) and a wide array of entertainment-
inspired toy lines. Mattel is recognized as one of 2008's "100 Best Companies
to Work For" by FORTUNE Magazine and among the 100 Most Trustworthy U.S.
Companies by Forbes Magazine. Committed to ethical manufacturing sustainable
business practices, Mattel marked a 10-year milestone in 2007 for its Global
Manufacturing Principles. With worldwide headquarters in El Segundo, Calif.,
Mattel employs more than 30,000 people in 43 countries and territories and
sells products in more than 150 nations. Mattel contributes 2% of its pretax
profit to its global philanthropic efforts. Mattel's vision is to be the
world's premier toy brands -- today and tomorrow.
SOURCE Mattel, Inc.

Jules Andres of Mattel, Inc., +1-310-252-3529, Jules.Andres@mattel.com