Mattel - About Us - Community Involvement



Organizations in the East Aurora, Buffalo, and Western New York areas are funded through the Mattel Children's Foundation. Proposals are reviewed and selected by Fisher-Price staff. Come explore some of the various programs which Fisher-Price supports.

As a contribution to Buffalo's "Success by Six" initiatives, Fisher-Price has installed 15 playgrounds throughout the Western New York community since 1994. Working together with the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County, playground sites are determined after visiting local areas and studying the demographics, proximity of parks and other playgrounds, and the feasibility of constructing a secure, safe playground. Grants from the Mattel Children's Foundation are used to purchase bright, colorful playground equipment that has handicapped-accessible features. And the playgrounds are installed using Fisher-Price employee volunteers!

EPIC (Every Person Influences Children) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping parents and teachers raise children to become responsible adults. Begun in 1980 in Buffalo, New York, the program can now be found in communities in sixteen states. In 2001, EPIC broke ground on a new building in Buffalo, NY, that houses its National Center for Parenting and Character Development. Fisher-Price partnered with EPIC by funding the "Childcare Space" in the new Education Center. The Childcare Space is an inviting and supervised play area for children whose parents are participating in parenting skills workshops or utilizing other EPIC services. It is a colorful, child-friendly room filled with Fisher-Price products that encourages creative play and helps children learn while having fun. It also offers a unique opportunity for parents to observe their children during play. The Childcare Space, together with the Parent Education Room, is an essential part of the new Center – it’s a place where families come to strengthen their parenting skills, meet other parents of children the same age as their own, and share their parenting experiences. It is particularly important for disadvantaged and at-risk families, many of whom would be unable to take part in a workshop or utilize EPIC's other services in the Center without a safe place to bring their child. At the Center, they have access to parenting information from sources across the country and around the world. There is an onsite library, Internet access available at computer stations, teleconference seminars led by national experts in the field of parenting, and parenting workshops designed to bring parents with similar needs together from distant communities for discussion via telecommunication.

For over 25 years, Fisher-Price has supported Buffalo’s world-class symphony orchestra, the Buffalo Philharmonic. Over the years, the Company has sponsored the "Children's Discovery Series," a group of five children's concerts with pre- and post-concert programs that allow children to meet the musicians and see and touch the instruments. In addition to the Discovery Series, Fisher-Price has also sponsored school-based educational programs that offer music to inner-city students and low-income schools. As part of this program, a musical ensemble visits the schools in preparation for the concert. The students then attend a Philharmonic concert at Kleinhans Music Hall, and a musician comes back to the school for follow up. This program has brought the wonderful gift of music to the ears of over 1,000 children.

Established in 1972, Theatre of Youth (TOY) is the region's only full-time professional theatre in upstate New York dedicated to young audiences, and Fisher-Price is a long-time supporter of its efforts. In 1999, TOY renovated and moved into a historic movie theatre in the Allentown section of Buffalo, ending 25 years of performing on rented stages and preserving part of Western New York's architectural heritage. Fisher-Price happily funds the annual children's holiday show, a tradition that has been in place for more than 20 years. Partnering with TOY, "we are teaching our children about the wonders of the mind and the talents within each one of us."

Fisher-Price lovingly created a "Family Center" room at Buffalo's Women’s and Children's Hospital for families to relax in while children receive services at the hospital. This room is fun and comforting and was designed by Fisher-Price employees who work in the product design area. Fisher-Price has also renovated the main lobby at the Hospital, transforming it into a cozy, child-friendly atmosphere. The Hospital also receives annual grants from Fisher-Price to purchase updated equipment needed to keep the Hospital state-of-the-art.

Lothlorien Therapeutic Riding Center is located in Fisher-Price's hometown of East Aurora, New York, and is one of the largest facilities in the United States and Canada of its kind. It is the only operating center in Western New York accredited by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) to provide instruction in therapeutic riding for children. Over the years, Fisher-Price has furnished adaptive equipment and supplies that help physically challenged young children enjoy horseback riding. This has afforded these children new independence and self-esteem, and at the same time has encouraged them to participate in a physical activity.

Cradle Beach Camp has been serving disabled and disadvantaged children in Western New York since 1888 by providing an opportunity for a residential summer camp experience. The mission of the organization is to "add value" to the lives of disabled and disadvantaged children through a program that is enjoyable and able to build "developmental assets" in their lives. As a result, there are clinics to attend while at camp teaching everything from positive peer influence to safety to reading for pleasure. The agency cites research indicating that the more developmental assets children have, the more likely they are to make wise choices, choose positive paths, and lead healthy, productive, successful lives. Fisher-Price contributes financially to Cradle Beach to help fund young children in their first camping season.

Fisher-Price has built a long-standing relationship with the Skating Association of the Blind and Handicapped (SABAH), a homegrown organization (Buffalo, New York)for over 25 years that assists disabled children by teaching them ice-skating skills. Through specially developed equipment and individual training, SABAH helps the children develop muscle strength and coordination. Our funding supports skates and adaptive equipment for these special children.

Fisher-Price receives thousands of requests for toys each year. Unfortunately, we are unable to grant toys to all eligible organizations. Our priority is non-profit, 501(c)(3) organizations located in the East Aurora, Buffalo, and Western New York areas that serve needy preschool children, ages 0-6 years. Click to contact Fisher-Price Toy Donations.