11.01.2005 ET

(CSRwire) MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 1, 2005--Best Buy has launched its fifth annual drive to collect holiday gifts for underprivileged teens in need across the U.S. As the exclusive sponsor of "Toys for Teens," Best Buy has again partnered with the U.S. Marine Corps to gather donations of gifts, between now and December 15, for children ages 12 to 15.

"More than three million young teens need assistance during the holidays, and year after year many are overlooked when it comes to holiday giving," said retired Major William Grein, vice president of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. "Best Buy makes it simple for customers to give, and the impact is evident on thousands of young lives."

Beginning immediately, more than 700 U.S. Best Buy stores will act as collection sites for "Toys for Teens" through December 15.
Customers may drop new, unwrapped items into collection boxes at any store, or make donations in $1, $5 or $10 increments at store registers. Dollars donated, along with a $250,000 gift from the Best Buy Children's Foundation, will go to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation to use toward the purchase of holiday gifts for teens.

In its fifth year as official sponsor of "Toys for Teens," the combined financial gifts of Best Buy and its customers exceed $1.9 million. In addition to monetary donations, customers have donated hundreds of thousands of gifts for children.

"We've been amazed at the generosity each year of our customers through the 'Toys for Teens' program," said Paula Prahl, vice president, public affairs, Best Buy. "This year could prove most difficult for families and homes in need. By serving as 'Toys for Teens' collection sites, we make it easier for our customers to give more this holiday season and make the lives of thousands of disadvantaged teens a little brighter."

About Best Buy's Community Commitment

As a community partner, Best Buy works to encourage ideas and to confront challenges. Through its many philanthropic activities, Best Buy extends its support in times of celebration and in times of need.

In fiscal 2005, Best Buy and the Best Buy Children's Foundation donated $19 million to its communities, approximately 1.5 percent of its prior fiscal year's pretax earnings. The company encourages local volunteerism by providing charitable gifts to organizations where employees volunteer, awards annual scholarships to graduating high-school seniors, and supports schools using technology to enhance learning through the Best Buy te@ch program. Best Buy works with the Red Cross to provide support in times of disaster, including a donation of more than $2 million in fiscal 2006 for its Disaster Relief Fund. Additionally, Best Buy earmarked $8 million to help "reboot and rebuild" schools damaged, destroyed, or overcapacity after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The company also connects with the United Way to meet local community needs, and supports national organizations innovatively using technology in youth education. In addition, Best Buy is committed to environmental responsibility. Last year, the company collected and recycled nearly 1 million pounds of used and obsolete electronic items though special mass collection events and everyday collection of cellular phones, ink jet cartridges and rechargeable batteries. For more information about Best Buy's community relations efforts, visit www.BestBuy.com/CommunityRelations.

About Best Buy Co., Inc.

Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY) is an innovative Fortune 100 growth company that continually strives to create superior customer experiences. Through more than 870 retail stores across the United States and in Canada, our employees connect customers with technology and entertainment products and services that make life easier and more fun. We sell consumer electronics, home-office products, entertainment software, appliances and related services. A Minneapolis-based company, our operations include: Best Buy (BestBuy.com and BestBuy.ca), Future Shop (FutureShop.ca), Geek Squad (GeekSquad.com and GeekSquad.ca) and Magnolia Audio Video (Magnoliaav.com). We support our communities through employee volunteerism and grants from The Best Buy Children's Foundation.

Copyright Business Wire 2005

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