Geppetto's Toy Stores Community Giving Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT:
Adriana Herrera
ERA Communications
(619) 573-9372 office

GEPPETTO'S TOY STORES COMMUNITY GIVING PROGRAM
** Three wishes for the San Diego Community: health; higher learning; and happiness**

SAN DIEGO - Geppetto's continues to partner with multiple charitable agencies to empower children of all ages as they move towards health, higher learning, and happiness. A small locally owned and family-operated business, the toy retailer maintains its ability to have a positive impact on the community. Geppetto's recent gifting has included:

San Diego Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Geppetto's is honored to be a Silver Sponsor of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Taking place Sunday, November 1, 2009, the fundraising event will support breast cancer awareness and research. Geppetto's will also sponsor a team of Toy Experts, family and friends to participate in the walk to celebrate breast cancer survivorship and also to honor those who are fighting, or who have battled the disease.

Words Alive
Geppetto's believes in promoting literacy, learning and education. As such, the company has supported the Words Alive literacy program for over five years. This year the company's underwriting went towards the purchase of books. Additionally, on Tuesday, October 20, 2009, Geppetto's participated in the organizations annual fundraiser, the Author's Luncheon. Geppetto's was a vendor in the event's marketplace and donated 20 percent of sales.

The La Jolla Art & Wine Festival
Committed to enhancing communities where stores are located, Geppetto's was delighted to be a $5,000 Village Sponsor of the La Jolla Art & Wine Festival. Held October 10 and 11, 2009, all proceeds from the two-day festival benefit underfunded art, music, science, physical education, and technology programs at: La Jolla Elementary, Torrey Pines Elementary, and Bird Rock Elementary.

Leukemia and Lymphoma Bear Campaign
During the month of August Geppetto's toy stores hosted a teddy bear campaign on behalf of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of San Diego. The campaign resulted in the donation of almost 400 teddy bears. Geppetto's matched the purchase of any teddy bear going to a leukemia and lymphoma patient. Customers and Toy Experts (Geppetto's employees) also personalized cards of well wishes to accompany each of the teddy bears.

"I very much enjoy being involved in these donations," said Brian Miller, president of Geppetto's. "With our limited capacity as a small business, we still try to reach out and have an impact on our communities. The needs in our neighborhoods are so great, but every dollar contributed to a worthy cause, or toy put in the hands of a child is an accomplishment."

ABOUT GEPPETTO'S
Geppetto's has been a San Diego based tradition for over 30 years. Operated by the Miller family since 1992, the award-winning toy retailer offers a unique mix of high-quality playthings from around the world at eight locations. The company believes in partnering in education and child-related causes and donates toys to over 100 organizations including preschools, elementary schools, and social-service agencies throughout San Diego County.

For more information about Geppetto's, please visit www.geppettostoys.com or call (858) 551-1070.

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