Toys'R'Us raises $1.8M for Autism Speaks

WAYNE, N.J. Toys“R”Us, U.S. announced that its fourth annual nationwide in-store fundraising campaign to benefit Autism Speaks, North America’s largest autism science and advocacy organization, raised nearly $1.8 million.

“For the fourth consecutive year, our customers and employees demonstrated their desire to help solve the autism puzzle by generously supporting our campaign to benefit Autism Speaks,” said Jerry Storch, chairman and CEO of Toys“R”Us. “At Toys“R”Us, we are committed to improving the lives of children and families in need, and we’re proud that our efforts will help Autism Speaks fund much-needed research, as well as advocacy efforts.”

During the campaign, the company said it created several programs to help parents and caregivers of children with autism. In collaboration with Autism Speaks and the National Lekotek Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to making play accessible for children with disabilities, the company identified toys that can help children with autism develop crucial skills while playing alongside siblings and friends.  The “Ten Toys That Speak To Autism,” a special subset of the annual Toys“R”Us Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids, provides toy suggestions specifically for families and friends of children with autism.  With guidance from leading safety organizations and Autism Speaks, Toys“R”Us also developed Safe Play Tips that are relevant for children with autism. The “Ten Toys That Speak To Autism” and Safe Play Tips are available year-round at Toysrus.com/AutismSpeaks. 

Since the partnership launched in 2007, Toys“R”Us, the Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund and customer contributions have combined to provide Autism Speaks with more than $8.4 million.