Toy Industry to Gather for the 19th Annual Toys 'R' Us Benefit Year after Year, Toys 'R' Us Sets an Example in Corporate Social Responsibility by Raising Millions for Children who Need More than Toys WAYNE, N.J., April 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- On Wednesday, April 21st, The Toys "R" Us Children's Fund, Inc. will host its 19th annual fundraising gala at the New York Marriott Marquis. Each year, Toys "R" Us brings together industry executives, partners and celebrities to raise money for special children. To date, the gala has raised $54 million including more than $7 million raised during last year's event. "The toy business is focused on making children's lives better," said Michael Goldstein, Chairman of The Toys "R" Us Children's Fund, Inc. "That's why each year, Toys "R" Us sets aside an evening to bring together generous partners, vendors, friends and celebrities to focus on supporting some of the most important children's charities today." The black-tie affair will begin with a cocktail party, followed by a dinner and fundraising auction hosted by Rosie O'Donnell. A live performance by GRAMMY(R) nominated artist Smokey Robinson will entertain the guests. Auction items will include a walk on part in a Toys "R" Us commercial, a one- of-a-kind portrait by Peter Max, a New York Giants package and much more. All expenses related to the evening's event are underwritten by Toys "R" Us, Inc. which allows every penny raised through The Toys "R" Us Children's Fund, Inc. to go directly to children's charities and organizations. The annual event benefits more than 60 charities and organizations including the Starlight Children's Foundation, the Juvenile Diabetes Association, The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, the Children's National Medical Center and Cure Autism Now, among others. Since it was founded in 1992, The Toys "R" Us Children's Fund, Inc. has donated millions of dollars every year to organizations and charities that support the health and well-being of children. Funds raised through The Toys "R" Us Children's Fund, Inc. are used to support The Kids' Playroom Program, state of the art playrooms in medical settings across the country, and Children's Literacy, pre-literacy programs for at-risk children. Toys "R" Us, one of the world's leading retailers of toys, baby products, and children's apparel, currently sells merchandise through 1,491 stores worldwide: 681 toy stores in the United States; 578 international toy stores, including licensed and franchise stores; 200 Babies "R" Us stores, and 4 Geoffrey stores, and through its Internet sites at http://www.toysrus.com/, http://www.babiesrus.com/, http://www.imaginarium.com/ and http://www.sportsrus.com/. DATASOURCE: Toys "R" Us CONTACT: Susan McLaughlin, , or Nicole Patzer, , both of Toys "R" Us, +1-973-617-5900 Web site: http://www.toysrus.com/

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