American Girl(R) on shopgoodwill.com

ROCKVILLE, MD -- 11/22/2004 -- Make your little girl’s dreams come true this holiday season with a beautifully crafted American Girl® doll. To celebrate the premiere of “Samantha: An American Girl Holiday” on The WB, American Girl has donated three Samantha™ and two Nellie™ dolls for auction on Goodwill’s Internet auction site www.shopgoodwill.com. The online auction begins Monday, November 22, and ends Monday, December 6.

“Your purchases on shopgoodwill.com bring hope to people who want to work and support their families,” says George W. Kessinger, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. Goodwill channels 84 percent of its revenues into job training and career programs for people with disabilities, welfare recipients, dislocated workers and other job seekers.

Samantha is a compassionate little girl living with her wealthy grandmother in 1904. She asks her friends at school to donate their coats, hats and gloves to help her friend Nellie, who lives in an orphanage. Samantha and Nellie are part of The American Girls Collection®, which has become a treasured part of girlhood for generations of American girls. “Samantha: An American Girl Holiday” airs Tuesday, November 23, at 8:00 p.m. EDT / 7:00 p.m. CDT, with an encore presentation on Thanksgiving Day.

“We are grateful to American Girl for bringing Samantha’s generosity to life,” says Kessinger. “Their donation and support will make this holiday season brighter for Goodwill.”

The WB, American Girl and Tide have teamed up with Goodwill Industries to share the warmth of the season and collect gently used clothing between now and the end of the year. To find out how to start your own Samantha’s Coat and Clothing Drive, visit www.thewb.com/americangirl. To find the Goodwill near you, use the online locator at www.goodwill.org, or call (800) 664-6577.

Contact Information

Christine Nyirjesy Bragale

Director, Media Relations

Goodwill Industries International

Contact via E-mail