ROCKAWAY, N.J., Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Party City, America's largest party specialty and Halloween retailer, celebrates Halloween early this year, as it generates excitement for kids who may not have otherwise been able to get into the spirit of the season. Through in-store customer donations, Party City has collected more than $400,000 to help support Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091027/FL99629 )
In addition to the donation, Party City hosted its annual Halloween Boys & Girls Club Fair Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009, at the Naoma Donnelly Haggin Boys & Girls Club in Delray Beach, Fla. The fair entertained more than 600 kids from South Florida Boys & Girls Clubs who enjoyed in the Halloween activities including trick-or-treating, playing games, and having their pictures taken with characters like Dora the Explorer, Spiderman and SpongeBob SquarePants. American Idol star Adam Lambert also stopped by the event to greet the kids.
"Children are at the heart of Halloween and Party City is committed to helping kids celebrate and enjoy the holiday. That's why we have partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs of America and worked with our customers to collect money for the cause," says Lisa Laube, president of Party City. "The Halloween fair is the largest event of the year for the local Boys & Girls Club and our $400,000 donation will help ensure the national organization can continue its work in communities nationwide."
Party City has partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs of America for the past three years and has made it an annual commitment to continue its support to the organization. In addition to its financial charitable contribution, Party City donates hundreds of costumes to local Clubhouses.
The donation was announced at Party City's third annual Halloween Industry Awards, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009, held at the company's annual Halloween Bash at the Boca Raton Resort & Club in Boca Raton, Fla. At the Halloween Industry Awards, Party City honored its vendor partners, who are the leading Halloween costume and product manufacturers and suppliers in the U.S., in the following 11 categories:
-- Party Item of the Year -- Forum Novelties
-- Candy of the Year -- Mars Snack Foods
-- Internet Only Item of the Year -- Rubies Costumes
-- Girl Costumes of the Year -- California Costume
-- Girl Licensed Costumes of the Year -- Disguise
-- Boy Costumes of the Year -- Dress Up America
-- Junior Costumes of the Year -- Fun World
-- Sexiest Costumes of the Year -- Leg Avenue
-- Funniest Costumes of the Year -- Rasta Imposta
-- Plus Size Costumes of the Year -- Dreamgirl
-- Breakout Costume of the Year -- Rubies Costumes
-- Movie of the Year Costume -- Disguise
More than 300 Party City company executives, designers and other manufacturer representatives attended the awards event dressed suitably in Halloween costumes. Party guests were entertained by American Idol star, Adam Lambert, who came dressed as a "glam-pire" and performed hits from his season on Idol.
"As the premier Halloween specialty retailer, we are the Halloween experts and are thrilled to recognize our vendors with the annual Party City Halloween Industry Awards," says Lisa Laube, president of Party City. "Halloween is a growing industry and the awards are a testament to the dedication and creativity of our vendor community. Party City has a passion for celebrating so it is only natural that we go all out for our most important holiday, Halloween."
Party City has more than 600 stores nationwide where customers can shop for last minute Halloween costumes, decorations and accessories. Consumers can continue to donate to Boys & Girls Club of America through Oct. 31, 2009. For more information and store locations visit PartyCity.com.
About Party City
Party City is the leader in the party goods industry. We are America's largest specialty party goods chain and the country's premier Halloween specialty retailer. Party City operates more than 600 company-owned and franchise stores throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. Party City is a division of Amscan Holdings, Inc. and has its headquarters in Rockaway, New Jersey Amscan designs, manufactures and distributes party goods through its vertically aligned retailers as well as other retailer worldwide. Amscan's worldwide locations include their corporate headquarters in Elmsford, NY as well as locations throughout Asia, Europe, the Americas and Australia. Amscan operates seven state of the art distribution centers throughout the world and six manufacturing facilities domestically. Product is manufactured both in the United States and overseas.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.org) comprises a national network of more than 4,300 neighborhood-based facilities annually serving some 4.5 million young people, in all 50 states and on U.S. military bases worldwide. Known as "The Positive Place for Kids," the Clubs provide guidance-oriented character development programs on a daily basis for children 6-18 years old, conducted by a full-time professional staff. Key Boys & Girls Clubs of America programs emphasize leadership development, education and career exploration, financial literacy, health and life skills, the arts, sports, fitness and recreation, and family outreach. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. For more information visit BGCA.org
Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091027/FL99629PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.comParty City
