4.24.2007 - 06:00am ET

(CSRwire) El Segundo, Calif. - April 24, 2007 – Mattel, Inc., the Mattel Children’s Foundation and the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America announced a new three-year national partnership today that will help grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.

The partnership builds upon Mattel’s 10-year relationship with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Los Angeles. This national partnership includes: $100,000 in the first year to support wish-granting activities; the development of unique Fashion Fever® Barbie® dolls and custom Hot Wheels® cars for every new wish child in the United States; and the granting of specific wishes through Mattel brands, including American Girl®, Barbie® and Hot Wheels®.

“By expanding our partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to the national level, we can enrich the lives of even more seriously ill children,” said Kevin Farr, chairman of the Mattel Children’s Foundation and chief financial officer of Mattel, Inc. “We are pleased to support the nation’s largest wish-granting organization and share the power of a wish.”

Mattel grants several wishes each year. For example, this spring Mattel is working with a wish child to design a game inspired by his battle with cancer. During the last 10 years, Mattel has also supported the Greater Los Angeles chapter and more recently Make-A-Wish® International affiliates through the Mattel Children’s Foundation International Grants Program in Belgium, Greece and Holland.

In addition to supporting wish-granting activities, Mattel will make 6,000 custom Hot Wheels® and 6,000 special Fashion Fever® Barbie® dolls, which will serve as “ice-breaker” gifts for new wish kids in the United States. Mattel employees also have the opportunity to volunteer with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Texas in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and also the Greater Los Angeles chapter through wish granting, as well as sponsorship of the Los Angeles chapter’s gala and Season of Wishes events. The volunteer program is expected to expand to other locations in the future.

“We are thrilled that Mattel is making such a great commitment to our mission,” said David Williams, president and chief executive officer of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America. “Mattel’s generous spirit and enthusiastic employees will help us bring hope, strength and joy to our wish kids.”

About The Make-A-Wish Foundation
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Born in 1980 when a group of caring individuals helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 69 chapters in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and nearly 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has granted more than 148,000 wishes in the United States since inception. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit www.wish.org and discover how you can share the power of a wish.®

About the Mattel Children's Foundation
The Mattel Children's Foundation was established in 1978. With a vision of "making a meaningful difference, one child at a time," the Foundation provides cash grants through domestic and international grantmaking programs, as well as international scholarships to children of employees, matching gifts and volunteer grants for Mattel employees. In addition, the Foundation continues its tradition of partnering with exemplary nonprofit partners. Mattel has partnered with Special Olympics, Save the Children, the Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA, the National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI) and the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation (CAAF) ) and most recently, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America. The Mattel Children's Foundation is funded exclusively by cash donations from Mattel, Inc.

About Mattel
Mattel, Inc., (NYSE: MAT, www.mattel.com) is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products. The Mattel family is comprised of such best-selling brands as Barbie®, the most popular fashion doll ever introduced, Hot Wheels®, Matchbox®, American Girl®, Radica® and Tyco® R/C, as well as Fisher-Price® brands, including Little People®, Power Wheels® and a wide array of entertainment-inspired toy lines. Mattel is recognized as one of the 100 Most Trustworthy U.S. Companies by Forbes Magazine and is ranked among the 100 Best Corporate Citizens by CRO Magazine. Committed to ethical manufacturing practices, Mattel marks a 10-year milestone in 2007 for its ever-evolving Global Manufacturing Principles and focus on sustainable business practices. With global headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel employs more than 30,000 people in 43 countries and territories and sells products in more than 150 nations. Mattel's vision is to be the world's premier toy brands -- today and tomorrow.

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