MEGA Brands pledges to donate $500,000 for new Shriners hospital while
launching a limited edition Mega Bloks® Fundraising Toy
MONTREAL, June 6, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - This morning, MEGA Brands Inc., a
member of the Mattel family of companies (NASDAQ: MAT), announced the
start of a new partnership with Shriners Hospitals for Children® -
Canada. The toy maker has pledged $500,000 to the hospital's Exceptional Care for Exceptional Kids campaign and will launch a custom-made and limited edition Mega Bloks™
First Builders Block Buddy fundraising toy at today's International
Shriners Day celebration in Ottawa.
Additionally, MEGA Brands will provide Mega Bloks toys and decorations
for the new hospital's Child Life playroom. Located in Montreal,
construction of the new Shriners Hospital for Children began in spring
of 2013, and is expected to be complete in 2015.
In order to help drive donations to the Exceptional Care for Kids campaign, MEGA Brands has designed a Shriners-inspired Block Buddy to
add to the Mega Bloks First Builders line. Called "Loveable Lucas," the
Limited Edition Block Buddy can be purchased at select Shriners
Temples, at Shriners Hospitals for Children — Canada in Montreal or
online at http://exceptionalcare4kids.com.
"Shriners Hospitals for Children -Canada does a remarkable job of
providing exceptional care and services to children and their loved
ones in communities across Canada," said Bisma Ansari, vice president
of marketing, MEGA Brands Inc. "Our team was thrilled to bring to life
a brand-new Shriners-inspired toy, and we can't wait to help create the
hospital's Child Life playroom. MEGA Brands could not be happier to
join forces with this outstanding institution."
To commemorate International Shriners Day, Loveable Lucas will make his debut, and be available for purchase, at the Shriners
celebration in Ottawa. Today's event will be held at Ottawa City Hall,
from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and hosted by Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson and
members of the Tunis Shrine Temple. The Tunis Klowns, Keystone Kops,
Mini Bikes and Tunis Air Force Units will also add to the fun. For more
information on the Exceptional Care Odyssey, please visit: http://shrinersexceptionalcampaign.ca/en/odyssey/.
About Shriners Hospitals for Children® - Canada
Located in Montreal since 1925, Shriners Hospitals for Children- Canada
is a bilingual, short term, acute care centre providing pediatric
orthopaedic ultra-specialized care for complex disorders such as
osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease), severe spinal and limb
anomalies, reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation. Children from
across Canada, the U.S. and around the world have benefited from the
hospital's ground-breaking research and innovative treatments, both in
Montreal and in their own communities.
About MEGA Brands
A member of the Mattel family of companies, MEGA Brands Inc. is a
trusted collection of leading global brands in construction toys, games
& puzzles and arts & crafts. They offer engaging creative experiences
for children and families through innovative, well-designed, affordable
and high-quality products. MEGA® Brands includes MEGA BLOKS®, RoseArt®,
MEGA Puzzles®, MEGA Games® and Board Dudes®. Visit http://www.megabrands.com for more information.
About Mattel
The Mattel family of companies (Nasdaq: MAT) is the worldwide leader in
the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products.
Mattel's portfolio of best-selling brands includes Barbie®, the most
popular fashion doll ever produced, Hot Wheels®, Monster High®,
American Girl®, Thomas & Friends® and Fisher-Price® brands, including
Little People® and Power Wheels®, MEGA® Brands, including MEGA BLOKS®
and RoseArt®, as well as a wide array of entertainment-inspired toy
lines. In 2013, Mattel was named one of the "World's Most Ethical
Companies" by Ethisphere Magazine and in 2014 ranked No. 5 on Corporate
Responsibility Magazine's "100 Best Corporate Citizens" list. With
worldwide headquarters in El Segundo, California, Mattel's companies
employ nearly 30,000 people in 40 countries and territories and sell
products in more than 150 nations. At Mattel, we are Creating the
Future of Play. Visit us at www.mattel.com, www.facebook.com/mattel or www.twitter.com/mattel.
SOURCE MEGA Brands Inc.