 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
| 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.
|
|
|
| American Girl, located adjacent to Madison, Wisconsin, has a
longstanding reputation as a good corporate citizen-locally and nationally-which
has been achieved through a variety of philanthropic programs designed
to benefit children. |
|
|
| The American Girl Special Events are fund-raising programs, hosted
by nonprofit organizations, that leverage the widespread appeal of
the American Girl brand to raise funds for children's charities around
the nation. Blending learning with entertainment, the Special Events
offer a unique, memorable experience for girls and their families
and friends. Since 1992, the programs have generated millions of
dollars for worthwhile causes nationwide. Interested organizations
should call toll-free, (888) 325-7953, for more information about
hosting an American Girl event in their area. |
|
|
| Every year, American Girl donates its second and returned merchandise
to the Madison Children's Museum in Madison, Wisconsin, whose volunteers
refurbish the product for an Annual Benefit Sale held each July.
Through American Girl's contribution and the efforts of these
volunteers, more than $1 million is raised annually for children.
Since American Girl initiated this unique partnership in 1988,
the Annual Benefit Sale has raised over $8 million and attracted
more than 100,000 shoppers from around the country. |
|
|
|
While the Madison Children's Museum keeps part of the proceeds
of the Annual Benefit Sale, the balance is redistributed through
American Girl's Fund for Children, a foundation that provides
grants for children's programs throughout Dane County, Wisconsin.
The Fund supports a variety of philanthropic projects specifically
designed to enhance children's education through the arts, culture,
and the environment.
Recently, these grants have built The Aldo Leopold Nature Center
and Nature Net, a collaborative consortium of natural sites in
southern Wisconsin dedicated to environmental education for elementary
school children; established American Girl Onstage: A Performing
Arts Series for Children at the Madison Civic Center; and supported
dozens of local performance groups and artist-in-residence programs
through the Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission.
|
|
|
| Since 1992, American Girl has generously invested in Wisconsin's
United Way campaigns in those areas where its employees live and
work. American Girl has also made numerous cash contributions
in support of a wide range of community activities such as the Madison
Symphony Orchestra's Holiday Family Concert; Rhythm & Booms, the
Midwest's largest Fourth of July fireworks display; and the establishment
of a rooftop fountain at Monona Terrace Community Convention Center. |
|
|
|
Each year, American Girl receives thousands of requests from
schools, libraries, and other children's organizations seeking
product contributions for raffles and auctions. To date, the company
has donated thousands of dolls and more than 300,000 books to nonprofits
throughout the country. Additionally, American Girl has twice
liquidated several million dollars' worth of children's clothing
through Kids in Distressed Situations (KIDS), an organization that
partners with many of the leading toy and apparel manufacturers
to assist children in need throughout the world.
Click for Charitable
Donations information.
|
|
|
|
Mattel is proud to contribute to the global community by providing
the means for its employees and their families to obtain total
health and personal development.
In accordance with its commitment to employees, community, and
education, Mattel has taken strides in and around its Indonesian
facilities to promote a healthy lifestyle for employees, their
families, and surrounding neighborhoods. In fact, Mattel Indonesia
has received government awards for "Best Developmental Support
for Empowerment of Women" and "Best Industrial Work Environment
for Women" for West Java and Bakasi.
As a result of disconcerting data from employee health checkups
and visits to surrounding villages, Mattel Indonesia began work
on transforming the quality of local health and education. By implementing
the nation's largest managed healthcare program, Mattel provides
access to medical care for almost 14,000 employees and their dependents,
as well as community members. Now available to these employees
and the needy are vaccinations for endemic diseases such as hepatitis
B, typhoid, and tuberculosis, life-saving treatment for those infected
with these diseases, and corrective surgery for children with birth
defects.
Addressing the need for improved education, Mattel Indonesia instated
a program to adopt public schools within a three-kilometer radius
of the plants, and began renovating local elementary schools. In
addition, Open University, taught by Mattel professionals, provides
high school and university degrees to some 500 community members.
To assist local education, Mattel Indonesia's employees find time
to operate a "Mattel Bookmobile," which arrives at elementary schools
all over the area to serve more than 3,000 young readers as the
sole public library.
|
|
 |
|
Since 1994, the Reach Foundation, a Mattel-supported organization
in Australia, has been creating "safe spaces" for young people
to come together and express their concerns and aspirations. To
date, Reach has assisted several thousand teenagers in a variety
of experiential activities, ranging from school courses and workshops
to camps, seminars, and cultural events, all of which combine group
interaction with creative expression.
The Mattel team supports the Reach Foundation by participating
in fundraising activities and corporate events giving Reach participants
an opportunity to showcase their experiences.
In 2000, Mattel committed to entirely fund a new and revolutionary
program for elementary school children. Known as "Reach Rookys," the
program aims to provide children with creative, artistic, playful,
and inspirational experiences to build resilience, participation,
and team focus.
For three years, Mattel has been a major sponsor of "Kids Day," which
is an initiative of the Australian Toy Association. For one week
in June, participating toy retailers agree to donate five percent
of their profits to selected Australian Children's Charities.
|
|
 |
|
Thanks to the help of the Mattel Foundation and the local Mattel
plant Mabamex, a computer learning center was constructed in 1992
at the Izcalli School in Tijuana, Mexico. The only one of its kind,
the Izcalli School's computer learning center was designed exclusively
for handicapped children. In 1999, Mattel provided an extensive
computer upgrade.
From 1997 to 1998, Mattel's Mabamex facilitated the restoration
and reforestation of the Reforma Park. During those two years,
community volunteers donated 500 hours of their time.
Since 1994, Mattel's Mabamex has been inviting the children of
the Santa Julia Orphanage to their facility. Over the years, a
total of seventy to eighty kids have enjoyed Mabamex celebrations
like Child's Day, Halloween, Christmas parties, and summer picnics.
Mattel's Mabamex conducted a "health day" in 2000 for all employees,
their families, and the community. In addition to dental consultations,
participants attended presentations on drug prevention, first aid,
and important vaccinations.
In 1996, Mattel's Mabamex started a golf tournament to sponsor
the California Children's Hospital in Tijuana, Mexico. In the past
five years, this tournament has become one of the most successful
golf tournaments in Mexico, raising over $5,000,000. These efforts
have taken the hospital from a small clinic to a large, modern
facility offering comprehensive medical services.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
