11.02.2006 - 11:00am ET

(CSRwire) SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 2, 2006--The 2006 Toys for Tots campaign will rev into high gear on Sunday, Nov. 5, when NASCAR legend Dale Jarrett races The UPS Store/Toys for Tots car at Texas Motor Speedway. Toys for Tots' national spokespersons Dr. Phil McGraw and his wife, Robin, are making a special appearance to help jumpstart the organization's annual holiday drive.

The special paint scheme for Jarrett's car is part of a campaign sponsored by The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. franchisees. Franchisor Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. kicked off the campaign with a $50,000 donation toward a $1 million fundraising goal at last week's Marine Corps Marathon. Now through Dec. 23, participating locations will sell $1 donation cards with all proceeds benefiting Toys for Tots campaigns in communities where the funds are raised.

"We are proud and pleased to have the opportunity to support such a worthy cause once again this year," said Stuart Mathis, president of franchisor Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. "We're well experienced at delivering holiday joy and this is a way for us to extend that joy to our nation's neediest children."

This is the second year that The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. locations have been a national corporate sponsor of the Toys for Tots Foundation. Last year, the franchise network raised nearly $600,000 through its "Deliver Some Love" campaign, making it the second-most successful retail campaign in Toys for Tots history. This year's campaign goal is $1 million.

"When you support Toys for Tots, you're doing more than giving a child a toy," said Dr. Phil. "You're positively impacting that child's sense of worth and validating that they matter to the world."

Twelve-year-old Annabelle Huffman of Napa, Calif., designed the special paint scheme for this year's The UPS Store/Toys for Tots car. Her winning design was among more than 2,500 entries from children across the country in the "Design Dale's Ride" contest.

"Last year we made support for Toys for Tots a family affair by having our three youngest children design the first The UPS Store/Toys for Tots car," said Jarrett. "We encourage families everywhere to use Toys for Tots as an opportunity to teach children the importance of reaching out to the less fortunate members of our community, particularly during the holiday season."

After the race, Jarrett's autographed driver's suit will be posted on eBay with proceeds from the auction going to the Toys for Tots campaign. Dr. Phil and Robin will donate their suits for auction as well. The posting, which will go live on Sunday, Nov. 12, will be facilitated by AuctionDrop, an eBay consignment service. AuctionDrop is also donating its proceeds from this auction to Toys for Tots.

According to U.S. Census Bureau statistics, 17 percent (13 million) of all American children live below the federal poverty level. Of these children, more than 40 percent (5 million) live in families with incomes of less than half the poverty level.

"With the number of children living in low-income families continuing to rise, the need is greater than ever," said Marine Toys for Tots Foundation President and CEO Lt. Gen. Matthew T. Cooper, USMC (Ret). "We look at each toy as an opportunity to improve a child's outlook on life and increase his or her self-esteem.

"A dollar doesn't seem like much these days," he added. "But when you think of all the love and joy it could help deliver, it suddenly feels like a million."

About Dr. Phil & Robin McGraw

Dr. Phil McGraw has galvanized millions of people to "get real" about their own behavior and create more positive lives. Dr. Phil, his syndicated, daily one-hour series, is the second highest rated daytime talk show in the nation and began its fifth broadcast season in September 2006.

Most recently, his wife Robin launched her debut book, "Inside My Heart: Choosing to Live with Passion and Purpose." Released Sept. 12, the book quickly became the #1 hardcover/advice book on The New York Times best-seller list. Robin appears regularly on Dr. Phil and is heavily involved as a board member and goodwill ambassador for The Dr. Phil Foundation, a non-profit charitable organization that is committed to helping disadvantaged children and families.

About The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots Program

The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, an IRS recognized 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit public charity is the authorized fund raising and support organization for the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. The Foundation provides the funding and support needed for successful annual toy collection and distribution campaigns. The foundation is located at Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia. Local Marine Corps Reserve units and volunteer organizations collect and distribute toys in 545 communities covering all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit www.toysfortots.org.

About The UPS Store

Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. (MBE), a UPS company, franchises The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. retail locations. Together The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. locations comprise the world's largest franchise network of retail shipping, postal and business service centers with more than 5,700 locations around the world. In the United States, The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. locations are independently owned and operated by licensed franchisees of Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. Outside the United States, locations are owned and operated by MBE master licensees or their franchisees. For additional information, please visit www.theupsstore.com or www.mbe.com.



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