PR83754

OAK BROOK, Illinois, April 22, 2020 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

-- Delivers praying bears to nurses and medics staying at his Four Seasons

Hotel New York; makes additional donations to United Way Worldwide

COVID-19 Relief Fund on their behalf.

Ty Warner, owner of the largest manufacturer of plush in the world, today

announced the introduction of Hope, a limited-edition praying bear. This

adorable, multi-colored bear will offer a symbol of hope to the world while

also bringing much-needed support to the United Way Worldwide COVID-19 Fund.

Warner will contribute 100% of the profits from the original sale to the United

Way Worldwide fund.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1158293/Ty_Inc_COVID_19.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1076096/Ty_Logo.jpg

"The world needs hope, and this little bear just might bring us the smile we

need right now," Warner said. "It is an honor to partner with United Way

Worldwide, the world's largest nonprofit organization, which has been providing

hope to communities around the world for over 135 years."

Warner's announcement follows his decision last month to open his Four Seasons

Hotel New York to nurses and medical workers fighting the COVID-19 pandemic,

providing them a place to stay free of charge. In addition to today's release,

Warner is delivering individual Hope bears to the medical professionals

currently staying at the hotel – and making additional donations to the United

Way Worldwide on their behalf.

Hope will be available worldwide in essential retail outlets such as drug and

grocery stores, so that people can purchase the bear while shopping for

groceries and other essential items. Hope can also be ordered online at Ty.com.

"United Ways around the world are working tirelessly to provide critical human

services and much needed financial support to our most vulnerable populations

in the face of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic," said Suzanne McCormick, U.S.

President, United Way Worldwide. "We are touched by Ty's introduction of Hope,

whose sales profits will help the most vulnerable populations receive critical

financial and social service support during this global crisis."

In addition to fundraising from the sale of Hope, Warner is supporting those on

the frontlines battling the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City by opening the

doors of his Four Seasons Hotel New York free of charge to medical workers

responding to the crisis.

"Many of those working in New York City have to travel long distances to and

from their homes after putting in 18-hour workdays caring for COVID-19

patients. Our healthcare workers need a place closer to work where they can

rest and regenerate in order to continue their service to our nation's sick and

infirm," Warner said. "I am humbled that we could open the doors of the Four

Seasons Hotel New York and provide a place for our nation's heroes to rest."

To learn more about the Hope Bear, please visit: https://shop.ty.com/ (

https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2783211-1&h=1420823392&u=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.ty.com%2F&a=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.ty.com%2F

)

About Ty Warner

Ty Warner is an American toy manufacturer and owner of luxury hotels worldwide.

He is Chairman, CEO, and founder of Ty Inc. the largest manufacturer of plush

in the world. A philanthropist, Ty has donated in excess of $300 million to a

variety of charities, including Children's Hunger Fund, World Vision, Toy Bank,

International Toy Bank, Today Show, Children's Miracle Network, Operation Iraqi

Freedom, Toys for Tots, Princess of Wales Foundation, Andre Agassi Foundation,

American Red Cross, Save the Children, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS

Foundation, NY Police and Fire Widow's Fund, Ronald McDonald House, USO, Mayo

Clinic and UNICEF.

About United Way

United Way fights for the health, education and financial stability of every

person in every community. Supported by 2.9 million volunteers, 9.8 million

donors worldwide and $4.7 billion raised every year, United Way is the world's

largest privately funded nonprofit. We're engaged in 1,800 communities across

more than 40 countries and territories worldwide to create sustainable

solutions to the challenges facing our communities. United Way partners include

global, national and local businesses, nonprofits, government, civic and

faith-based organizations, along with educators, labor leaders, health

providers, senior citizens, students and more. For more information about

United Way, please visit UnitedWay.org. Follow us on Twitter: @UnitedWay and

#LiveUnited.

Source – Ty Inc.

CONTACT: Tania Lundeen, TLundeen@tymail.com, 630.258.7936