Organizations Focusing on Children's Health and Wellbeing, Learning and Literacy and Girls' Self-Esteem in 24 States Receive $400,000 EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Dec. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Mattel Children's Foundation announced today the recipients of its second round of domestic grants. Thirty-four nonprofit organizations directly serving children in need in 24 states will receive grants funded by Mattel. Grants range from $3,500 to $20,000, with an average grant amount at $10,000 per organization. The Mattel Children's Foundation is awarding $400,000 during this second phase of the grant making process in 2005. "Once again, The Mattel Children's Foundation is very excited to award such a diverse group of organizations that support children and serve our mission to make a meaningful difference, one child at a time," said Kevin Farr, chairman of the Mattel Children's Foundation and chief financial officer of Mattel, Inc. "Through these very worth organizations, Mattel will be able to help improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of children in need across the country." This second round of grant making for 2005 represents one of the Mattel Children's Foundation's new programs announced earlier this year as part of the Foundation's relaunch. The organizations that receive grants are selected based on their direct impact on children in need and their focus on one of the Foundation's three priority areas: health and wellbeing; learning and literacy; and girls' self-esteem and self-empowerment. Grants are made for general operating needs or are project-specific. More than 1,100 grant applications were submitted by non-profit organizations across the U.S. "This has been an exciting year for the Mattel Children's Foundation," said Deidre Lind, executive director of the Mattel Children's Foundation. "While the selection process was obviously difficult with so many worthy organizations in consideration, we are proud to announce the 34 selected organizations and excited to watch as grants are put into action." The chosen organizations represent a diverse group of nonprofits that manage programs with proven results. Some examples include: Taking the Reins, California: Inspires underserved girls facing the challenges of adolescence in high risk environments, to develop self-esteem, teamwork and leadership skills, principally through the Riding and Learning Lab programs and caring for horses. Seedlings Braille Books for Children, Michigan: Dedicated to increasing the opportunity for literacy by providing high-quality, low-cost children's literature and other materials in braille. Wonders and Worries, Texas: Provides psychosocial support for children, youths and families coping with life-threatening or chronic illness. For a full listing of grant recipients, please see attached page or visit: http://www.mattel.com/About_Us/Philanthropy/. The Mattel Children's Foundation will award grants again in 2006 using the same guidelines. Applications are available from January 1 to April 7 and can be accessed at http://www.mattel.com/About_Us/Philanthropy/. 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. In 2005, Mattel will partner 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). The Mattel Children's Foundation is funded exclusively by cash donations from Mattel, Inc. 2005 Second Round Grant Recipients Priority Area: Girls Self-Esteem and Self-Empowerment Blue Hill Observatory Science Center East Milton, Utah Bridgerland Community Ice Area North Logan, Utah Community Initiatives South Ligonier, Ind. Empower Program Washington D.C. Gift for Teaching of Tampa Bay Tampa, Fla. Girls' Opportunities for Adventure & Leadership Atlanta, Ga. Sports Dreams Greensboro, N.C. Taking the Reins Los Angeles, Calif. Priority Area: Health & Wellbeing of Children DDD Foundation Atlanta, Ga. Every Person Influences Children Buffalo, N.Y. Foundation for Positively Kids Las Vegas, Nev. Nurturing Individuals Needing Assistance Calumet City, Ill. Practice Without Pressure Bear, Del. Put Children First Hacker Valley, W. Va. Wonder & Worries, Inc. Austin, Texas Priority Area: Literacy & Learning Alternatives Incorporated Hampton, Va. Book 'Em Nashville, Tenn. Community Partners/First Steps Early Literacy Los Angeles, Calif. Explore & More, A Children's Museum East Aurora, N.Y. Heights Parent Center Cleveland Heights, Ohio Love and Hope Foundation Tampa, Fla. Midcity Excellence Community Learning Center St. Joseph, Mo. National Lekotek Center Chicago, Ill. Oceanographic Teaching Solutions Los Angeles, Calif. Pajama Program, Inc. New York, N.Y. Philadelphia Young Playwrights Philadelphia, Pa. Replay for Kids Medina, Ohio Rock the Classroom Santa Monica, Calif. San Antonio Youth Literacy San Antonio, Texas Seedlings Braille Books for Children Livonia, Mich. Southern Early Childhood Association Jackson, Miss. Turning Point Partners New Orleans, La. Werling Reading Teams Tacoma, Wash. Zink the Zebra Foundation Mequon, Wis. DATASOURCE: Mattel, Inc. CONTACT: Jules Andres, Corporate Communications of Mattel, Inc., +1-310-252-3529, Web site: http://www.mattel.com/About_Us/Philanthropy Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/540363.html

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