With the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games making its debut in New Jersey in just one year, Toys “R” Us, Inc. announced a year-long campaign to drive awareness for the 2014 USA Games, as well as the ongoing works of the Special Olympics Young Athletes program. Today, the company launched a dedicated web page at Toysrusinc.com featuring a countdown of the days, hours, minutes and seconds until the Games begin, showcasing the company’s commitment to the 2014 USA Games, and featuring profiles and videos of Young Athletes and their families. The page will be updated with new content throughout the year.
In 2012, Toys “R” Us became the first Founding Partner of the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games with a $1 million commitment from the Toys “R” Us Children’s Fund, a public charity affiliated with the company. In addition, Toys“R”Us will serve as the presenting sponsor of the first-ever Young Athletes Festival at the 2014 USA Games, which will provide opportunities for children ages 2 to 7 and their families to take part in the Special Olympics Young Athletes program, Healthy Athletes for Young Athletes activities,and family seminars geared toward the future stars of Special Olympics.
The Young Athletes Festival at the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games will build on the Special Olympics Young Athletes Program, an inclusive, innovative play program for children with and without intellectual disabilities that develops critical early cognitive, social, and motor skills and introduces kids to the world of sports. In addition to the Young Athletes Festival, youth-centered and educational events will be held in conjunction with the Games, rallying young leaders from across the country to raise awareness and call for action amongst their peers in support of the Special Olympics movement by promoting acceptance and respect for people with intellectual disabilities.
Throughout the coming year, Toys “R” Us will encourage its employees and customers to volunteer with Special Olympics in their communities, and share stories of participating Young Athletes through its social media channels and other communication vehicles.
