Join Shaq Give Back to help needy tots

The 2009 Toys“R”Us campaign benefiting the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is officially underway.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are currently more than 14 million children living in poverty in the United States, an increase of nearly one million kids since last year. That makes the need greater this year.

Toys "R" Us has joined with four-time NBA Champion Shaquille O’Neal to create a holiday slam dunk for children in need, according to the Toys "R" Us Facebook page.

The partnership with O’Neal was inspired by his annual visits to Toys“R”Us stores on Christmas Eve to purchase toys for children in need. His 15-year history of buying and distributing toys to underprivileged children earned him the name, “Shaq-A-Claus.” He will continue his surprise visits to Toys“R”Us stores in the coming months to shop for needy children and encourage customers to also give back.

Giving to kids is something we all should do if we can. New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us stores nationwide today through Sunday, December 6. All toy donations will remain in the communities where they are donated, making this a local program.

Cash donations will be collected through Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24, at Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us stores nationwide, and online at Toysrus.com/ToysforTots.  Amount-to-date raised through Facebook is $1,941.00.

"R" Us customers can "Join Shaq Give Back" by donating toys and cash in Toys "R" Us and Babies "R" Us stores, and by joining the company's official Facebook fan pages. Toys "R" Us will donate $1 worth of toys to Toys for Tots for everyone who becomes Facebook fans at Toys "R" Us or Babies "R" Us.

"I'm really just a big kid myself, and I can't imagine a child going without a toy to unwrap during the holidays," said Shaquille O'Neal in a press release. "Toys are magical for kids! My life was transformed one Christmas morning when, as a boy, I received an autographed Dr. J basketball from Toys"R"Us. With millions children living in poverty in this country, I urge everyone to 'Join Shaq Give Back' this holiday season."

"Toys"R"Us and Shaquille O'Neal have a shared love of all kids, and we are delighted that he has joined us to help children in need this holiday season," Jerry Storch, Chairman and CEO, Toys"R"Us, Inc. said in a press release.

The official Toys"R"Us Facebook fan page has a Shaq-A-Claus-themed redesign. Shaq-A-Claus is featured in a video and the site will have messages from O'Neal's official Twitter feed, @THE_REAL_SHAQ, along with the "Legend of Shaq-A-Claus."

"We encourage Toys"R"Us and Babies"R"Us customers to 'Join Shaq' and help Toys for Tots deliver more toys than ever before to those children who need it most," said Lt. General Pete Osman, USMC (Ret), President and CEO, Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is a not for profit organization that provides an annual Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. Toys for Tots provides joy and a message of hope to economically disadvantaged children through the gift of a new toy during the holiday season - a positive memory they will cherish for a lifetime. In 2008, Marines distributed gifts to 7.6 million children in over 620 communities nationwide.

THE LEGEND OF SHAQ-A-CLAUS
'Twas right around Christmas, nearly 15 years ago
When along came a champion - seven feet, head to toe.
Eager to give, and to further a cause,
Kids in need would soon know him as Shaq-A-Claus.
With a size 23 shoe, and even larger a heart,
Shaq planned to help kids, but where would he start?
'At The World's Greatest Toy Store™ - of course!' he thought,
'I'll give mountains of toys... more than anyone's bought!'
And so he did shop at Orlando's Toys"R"Us store,
He bought basketballs, trains, dolls and much more.
Meanwhile, nearby children snuggled, tucked in their beds,
With dreams of unwrapping presents filling their heads.
Little did they know, wishes would soon come true,
Shaq-A-Claus began wrapping, and packing toys, too.
Once his big truck was filled, he was ready indeed,
He set off to a shelter - home to children in need.
The door swung open and to the children's surprise,
Was a mighty tall man with a bag of gifts twice his size!
The kids' eyes were glowing, they had grins ear-to-ear,
Joy lit their faces at the sight of such cheer.
A cute doll for Lucy, a cool train for Drew,
A basketball for John, and one for Phil, too.
But it was more than the presents that made the kids smile,
He made them feel special, extra loved, all the while.
Since then, Shaq-A-Claus has visited needy kids every season,
Now he's joining Toys"R"Us to help Toys for Tots. Here's the reason.
Together, their goal is to collect millions of toys,
And make the holidays merry for countless young girls and boys.