$10,000 Grant to Support First Candle’s Lifesaving Programs and Services
Baltimore, MD – September 2012 – First Candle, a leading national nonprofit committed to helping babies survive and
thrive, today announced a $10,000 grant received from the Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund, Inc., a public charity affiliated with Toys“R”Us, Inc. The grant will be used to support First Candle’s ongoing education, research and advocacy programs that have been saving babies’ lives for the past 25 years. First Candle is also the only national nonprofit providing crisis grief support 24 hours a day, seven days at week, to anyone affected by the death of a baby.
According to Kelly Mariotti, First Candle CEO, during the past decade the Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund has donated more
than $165,000 to support the organization’s lifesaving programs and services. “We couldn’t be more pleased to receive
this generous grant from our friends at Toys“R”Us. Every year, more than 4,600 babies die without warning before
celebrating their first birthday. This funding will help us expand our outreach efforts so we can save as many precious lives as possible . . . leading us closer to our vision of a future where all babies survive and thrive.”
Toys“R”Us, Inc. has a long history of giving back to the communities it serves by keeping kids safe and helping them in
times of need. Since it was founded in 1992, the Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund has contributed millions of dollars to qualified organizations that support this mission. “The Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund is proud to continue our long-standing partnership with First Candle,” said Kathleen Waugh, Chairman, Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund. “As a company that loves all kids, we share in First Candle’s mission to promote safe pregnancies and the survival of babies through the first year of life.”
First Candle is a founding partner of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development’s highly successful Back to Sleep Campaign and its soon-to-be launched Safe to Sleep Campaign. The organization is committed to working closely with Toys“R”Us and other national, state and local partners to save babies and heal families.
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About First Candle: First Candle is a leading national nonprofit dedicated to safe pregnancies and the survival of babies through the first years of life. With programs of research, education and advocacy, the organization is working to ensure that every baby is given the best possible chance to reach not only his or her first birthday, but many happy birthdays beyond. First Candle also provides compassionate grief support to all those affected by the death of a baby. For more information, to access grief support or to make a donation, please visit www. firstcandle.org or call 1.800.221.7437.
About the Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund: The Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund is a public charity affiliated with Toys“R”Us, Inc., a company that unabashedly declares “We love kids!” The core mission of the Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund is to keep children safe and help them in times of need. Since it was founded in 1992, the Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund has contributed millions of dollars to qualified organizations that support that mission, including those providing disaster relief to children and families who are victims of large-scale crises. The Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund also provides grants to leading organizations that support children with special needs.
Primary fundraising activities include the annual Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund Gala, a private, invitation-only event that showcases the work of the Fund and raises money to support its many beneficiaries. This annual benefit has raised $100 million since its inception in 1985 and is one of the largest single-night fundraising events held in New York City.
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