SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sanrio, Inc., and its beloved Hello Kitty character have been an important part of the Japanese culture for over 50 years. In their ongoing disaster relief efforts to earthquake stricken Japan and the Pacific nations affected by the tsunami, the North American subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sanrio, Co. Ltd., and Ty have collaborated to create a special limited edition Hello Kitty^® Beanie Baby® plush toy to aid in disaster relief. The Hello Kitty Beanie Baby plush toy will be available worldwide at retail in May. In friendship and support of those affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, Ty is donating $1 million to the American Red Cross relief efforts.

The specially designed limited edition I LOVE JAPAN Hello Kitty Beanie Baby plush toy is dressed as a nurse and will be available across all channels of distribution for Sanrio and Ty, including Sanrio retail stores, sanrio.com and ty.com.

“After hearing about the devastation that occurred in Japan recently with the country having to cope with earthquake, tsunami, fires and radiation aftermath, I felt the need to somehow help,” says Ty Warner, founder of Ty. “As manufacturers of Hello Kitty plush toys, I felt it would be both a symbolic and heart-felt expression to support Japan by making this very special Hello Kitty Beanie Baby toy. My next thought was to work with the American Red Cross, whom I’ve worked with successfully in the past. I guaranteed the Red Cross a $1 million donation to help in the relief efforts in Japan. The name I LOVE JAPAN was chosen because we all can pray and hope together for the relief and recovery of Japan and those affected by this terrible disaster.”

“We feel proud to be a beneficiary of Ty’s generosity again,” said Michael Brown, Vice President of Corporate and Foundation Partnerships at the American Red Cross. “We rely on the public’s generosity and appreciate Ty’s willingness to enable millions of people to participate in helping the Red Cross bring comfort and relief to those who need it most.”

To make additional contributions, please go to www.redcross.org and donate to Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami. Or make a $10 donation by texting REDCROSS to 90999 on your cell phone. This support will enable the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to victims of these disasters. On those rare occasions when donations exceed American Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters.

The American Red Cross name and logo are used with its permission, which in no way constitutes an endorsement, express or implied, of any product, service, company, opinion or political position.

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 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® plush toys 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 toys, 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.

About the 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.

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