Mattel Children’s Foundation Announces Three-Year Signature Partnership With The Make-A-Wish Foundation

El Segundo, Calif. – 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.”