TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ty Warner, CEO and President of Ty, met with Mr. Tadateru Konoe, President of the Japanese Red Cross Society and Mr. Hironobu Shibuya, CEO of Save the Children Japan in Tokyo to donate $2 million to the relief efforts of these two organizations, $1 million to the American Red Cross® on behalf of the exclusive I Love JapanTM Hello Kitty® Beanie Baby®, and $1 million to Save the Children on behalf of the exclusive HOPE FOR JAPANTM Beanie BooTM.
Mr. Warner was earlier in Japan in February 2011, only weeks prior to the massive earthquake and tsunami in March, and very much wanted to make a follow-up visit.
Mr. Warner created both special Beanies® to assist relief efforts following the devastating earthquake and tsunami in March 2011. He collaborated with licensing partner Sanrio®, Inc. and longstanding charitable partner American Red Cross and new charitable partner Save the Children to create and offer the exclusive Beanies® on behalf of these organizations. Ty has made a donation of $2 million to the relief efforts of these two organizations, $1 million to the American Red Cross on behalf of the exclusive Hello Kitty Beanie Baby, and $1 million to Save the Children on behalf of the exclusive HOPE FOR JAPAN Beanie Boo.
"I was deeply moved by the disaster in Japan so I visited the Sendai area to meet the children who have endured so much. While progress has been made in the Miyagi Prefecture, there is so much to be done. I hope my visits to the area bring ongoing attention to this critical cause and bring joy to the families who have suffered. I am committed to helping this great nation recover and move forward," said Mr. Warner.
Last week Mr. Warner traveled to Tokyo, Sendai and Ishinomaki City, one of the hardest hit cities in the affected area. He personally handed out I Love Japan Hello Kitty for the Red Cross and Hope for Japan for Save the Children in hospitals, after school centers and the Home for Infants at the Japanese Red Cross Medical Center.
The I love Japan Hello Kitty Beanie Baby and Hope for Japan Beanie Boo are both available today at specialty gift stores worldwide or on www.ty.com.
About TY WARNER
Ty Warner is an American toy manufacturer and owner of luxury hotels worldwide. He is Chairman, CEO, sole owner and founder of Ty Inc., the largest manufacturer of plush in the world. Warner is a philanthropist, donating over one million Beanie Babies® for children in Iraq and more than $200 million worth of plush toys for a variety of charities. Additionally, Warner has designed and produced a number of Beanie Babies, donating all or a portion of the profits to charity. In 2006, Warner received the Children's Champion Award from Children's Hunger Fund for his philanthropic efforts. For more information please visit www.ty.com.
About SANRIO
SANRIO, best known for global icon Hello Kitty® and home to many more endearing characters including Chococat®, My Melody®, and Keroppi®, is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year. August 2010 kicked off the golden anniversary for the worldwide lifestyle brand that was founded on the "small gift, big smile®" philosophy -- that a small gift can bring a big smile to people of all ages. Today, over 50,000 Sanrio-branded items are sold in over 70 countries around the world. In the Western Hemisphere SANRIO character-branded products are sold in upwards of 12,000 locations including department, specialty, national chain stores and over 100 Sanrio boutiques. For more information, please visit www.sanrio.com.
About AMERICAN RED CROSS
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization - not a government agency - and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.
About SAVE THE CHILDREN
Save the Children is the leading, independent organization that creates lasting change for children in need in the United States and around the world. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
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Contacts
Ty
Tania Lundeen, 630 455-7416
tlundeen@tymail.com
Hironobu Shibuya, CEO Save the Children Japan and Ty Warner. (Photo: Business Wire)
Tadateru Konoe, President of Japanese Red Cross and Ty Warner. (Photo: Business Wire)
Ty Warner donates Hello Kitty Beanie Babies to Children at the Home for Children at the Red Cross Hospital in Tokyo. (Photo: Business Wire)