generationOn and Hasbro, Inc., Launch Grant Program in Honor of Martin Richard, the 8-Year-Old Boston Bombing Victim

PAWTUCKET, R.I., January 19, 2015 /3BL Media/ – Today, generationOn and Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ:HAS) have teamed up with the Martin Richard Foundation to announce the launch of The Martin Richard Bridge Builder Grant Program, a call to action for kids and teens ages 5-18 across the U.S. to submit service projects that will promote peace and kindness and create positive change in their schools and communities.

The Martin Richard Bridge Builder Grant Program will award $500 grants to the top 30 replicable project ideas. Projects will be conducted in April and May. Submissions must be made by February 13, 2015 through the generationOn website. Those selected to receive a grant will also be eligible to be selected for the following:

• Ten projects will be developed into official Martin Richard Bridge Builder project guides, created to inspire other kids and teens to take action.
• Three projects will be turned into public service announcements, produced to amplify the message of peace and inspire others to create and spread kindness worldwide.

The Martin Richard Bridge Builder Grant Program is in the memory of Martin Richard, an 8-year-old who was tragically killed when the second of two bombs exploded near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013. In the days after the bombing, a photo of Martin holding a handmade poster that read, “No more hurting people – Peace” circulated the Internet and was shared by media outlets worldwide. Martin’s view of peace went well beyond simply wanting to prevent violence. To him, peace meant things like togetherness, compassion, teamwork, fairness, sportsmanship, inclusion, and being kind. 

Martin’s parents, Denise and Bill Richard, formed the Martin Richard Foundation in 2014 to honor their son’s memory and message of peace by investing in education, athletics and community. The Martin Richard Foundation is teaming up with generationOn and the Hasbro Children’s Fund on this initiative.

“Bill and I are thrilled to collaborate with generationOn for what promises to be an exciting opportunity for kids to put their ideas into action and realize that it is not necessary to be an adult to possess the power of change. By encouraging kids to pay attention to what is happening around them, we can help shape attitudes of tolerance and kindness. We try to teach our own kids that they are not too young to lead by example – something that at age 8, Martin seemed to understand well,” said Denise Richard, mother of Martin Richard.

“It is our hope that through partnerships like this, the Martin Richard Foundation will instill a similar awareness in kids and teens so that they become engaged citizens and lifelong leaders,” Denise continued.

With its mission to inspire, equip, and mobilize youth in service, generationOn is dedicated to providing youth, families, schools and youth-serving organizations with easy and meaningful ways to give back to their communities globally.

“Martin recognized at a very young age the importance of teaching people kindness and togetherness,” said Karen Davis, SVP of Global Philanthropy & Social Impact at Hasbro, Inc. “By teaming up with our long-time partner, generationOn, we are able to honor Martin’s impactful message and help our youth create positive change nationwide, at a time when we need it most.”

“It is an honor to partner with Hasbro and the Richard family in celebrating the spirit of Martin by equipping and mobilizing youth across the country to build bridges of peace in their schools and communities,” said generationOn Executive Director Daniel Horgan.

For more information on how to submit service projects to The Martin Richard Bridge Builders Grant Program, please visit:

www.generationon.org/educators/news-events/bridge-builder.

generationOn

generationOn is the youth service division of Points of Light, igniting the power of kids and teens to make their mark on the world. generationOn inspires, equips and mobilizes hundreds of thousands of kids and teens annually to take action through service, service learning and youth leadership initiatives. It also provides tools and resources to kids, teens, families, youth practitioners and educators to help kids change the world and themselves through service. For more information, visit www.generationon.org.

Points of Light

Points of Light - the largest organization in the world dedicated to volunteer service - mobilizes millions of people to take action that is changing the world. Through affiliates in 250 cities and partnerships with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages more than 4 million volunteers in 30 million hours of service each year. We bring the power of people to bear where it matters most. For more information, go to pointsoflight.org.

About Hasbro, Inc.

Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) is a branded play company dedicated to fulfilling the fundamental need for play for children and families through the creative expression of the Company's world class brand portfolio, including TRANSFORMERS, MONOPOLY, PLAY-DOH, MY LITTLE PONY, MAGIC: THE GATHERING, NERF and LITTLEST PET SHOP. From toys and games, to television programming, motion pictures, digital gaming and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its global customers with innovative play and entertainment experiences, in a variety of forms and formats, anytime and anywhere.  The Company’s Hasbro Studios is responsible for entertainment brand-driven storytelling around Hasbro brands across television, film, commercial productions and short-form.  Through the company's deep commitment to corporate social responsibility, including philanthropy, Hasbro is helping to build a safe and sustainable world for future generations and to positively impact the lives of millions of children and families every year. It has been recognized for its efforts by being named one of the "World's Most Ethical Companies®" and is ranked as one of Corporate Responsibility Magazine's "100 Best Corporate Citizens." Learn more at www.hasbro.com.© 2014 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

# # #