MEGA Brands® announces a new partnership with Shriners Hospitals for Children® - Canada in honour of International Shriners Day

MEGA Brands pledges to donate $500,000 for new Shriners hospital while launching a limited edition Mega Bloks® Fundraising Toy

MONTREAL, June 6, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - This morning, MEGA Brands Inc., a member of the Mattel family of companies (NASDAQ: MAT), announced the start of a new partnership with Shriners Hospitals for Children® - Canada. The toy maker has pledged $500,000 to the hospital's Exceptional Care for Exceptional Kids campaign and will launch a custom-made and limited edition Mega Bloks™ First Builders Block Buddy fundraising toy at today's International Shriners Day celebration in Ottawa.

Additionally, MEGA Brands will provide Mega Bloks toys and decorations for the new hospital's Child Life playroom. Located in Montreal, construction of the new Shriners Hospital for Children began in spring of 2013, and is expected to be complete in 2015.

In order to help drive donations to the Exceptional Care for Kids campaign, MEGA Brands has designed a Shriners-inspired Block Buddy to add to the Mega Bloks First Builders line. Called "Loveable Lucas," the Limited Edition Block Buddy can be purchased at select Shriners Temples, at Shriners Hospitals for Children — Canada in Montreal or online at http://exceptionalcare4kids.com.   

"Shriners Hospitals for Children -Canada does a remarkable job of providing exceptional care and services to children and their loved ones in communities across Canada," said Bisma Ansari, vice president of marketing, MEGA Brands Inc. "Our team was thrilled to bring to life a brand-new Shriners-inspired toy, and we can't wait to help create the hospital's Child Life playroom. MEGA Brands could not be happier to join forces with this outstanding institution."

To commemorate International Shriners Day, Loveable Lucas will make his debut, and be available for purchase, at the Shriners celebration in Ottawa. Today's event will be held at Ottawa City Hall, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and hosted by Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson and members of the Tunis Shrine Temple. The Tunis Klowns, Keystone Kops, Mini Bikes and Tunis Air Force Units will also add to the fun. For more information on the Exceptional Care Odyssey, please visit: http://shrinersexceptionalcampaign.ca/en/odyssey/.

About Shriners Hospitals for Children® - Canada

Located in Montreal since 1925, Shriners Hospitals for Children- Canada is a bilingual, short term, acute care centre providing pediatric orthopaedic ultra-specialized care for complex disorders such as osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease), severe spinal and limb anomalies, reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation. Children from across Canada, the U.S. and around the world have benefited from the hospital's ground-breaking research and innovative treatments, both in Montreal and in their own communities.

About MEGA Brands

A member of the Mattel family of companies, MEGA Brands Inc. is a trusted collection of leading global brands in construction toys, games & puzzles and arts & crafts. They offer engaging creative experiences for children and families through innovative, well-designed, affordable and high-quality products. MEGA® Brands includes MEGA BLOKS®, RoseArt®, MEGA Puzzles®, MEGA Games® and Board Dudes®. Visit http://www.megabrands.com for more information.

About Mattel

The Mattel family of companies (Nasdaq: MAT) is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products. Mattel's portfolio of best-selling brands includes Barbie®, the most popular fashion doll ever produced, Hot Wheels®, Monster High®, American Girl®, Thomas & Friends® and Fisher-Price® brands, including Little People® and Power Wheels®, MEGA® Brands, including MEGA BLOKS® and RoseArt®, as well as a wide array of entertainment-inspired toy lines. In 2013, Mattel was named one of the "World's Most Ethical Companies" by Ethisphere Magazine and in 2014 ranked No. 5 on Corporate Responsibility Magazine's "100 Best Corporate Citizens" list.  With worldwide headquarters in El Segundo, California, Mattel's companies employ nearly 30,000 people in 40 countries and territories and sell products in more than 150 nations. At Mattel, we are Creating the Future of Play. Visit us at www.mattel.com, www.facebook.com/mattel or www.twitter.com/mattel.

SOURCE: MEGA Brands Inc.

MEDIA CONTACTS: 

Stephanie D. Pinsonnault 
MEGA Brands Inc.
[email protected]
514-333-5555 x2504

Alex Clark 
Mattel, Inc.
310-252-6397
[email protected]