BLI Big Lots

Decade-long relationship has helped to weigh down Santa's sleigh. COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Big Lots, the nation's largest broadline closeout retailer, is proudly commemorating its 10-year anniversary as a national, corporate sponsor of the annual U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots campaign. The weekend of November 18 will mark the official anniversary of the Big Lots Toys for Tots drive, which last year in combination with all other donations helped to distribute 19 million new toys to 7.4 million needy youngsters throughout the nation, capping off the most successful campaign in the Toys for Tots 57-year history. "For a decade, Big Lots has helped us fulfill the dreams of countless children who otherwise would have been overlooked during the holidays," said Major Bill Grein, USMC (Ret.), vice president of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. "Their continued support, and especially the toy drives held at local stores across the country, underline our mission to deliver a message of hope and to bring the joy of Christmas to America's needy children." Toys for Tots began with a single, local campaign in Los Angeles in 1947 and was expanded nationwide to include donation centers in 74 communities in 1948. Fifty-six years later in 2004, local Toys for Tots campaigns were conducted in 481 communities covering all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico - the most extensive coverage in the history of the program. "We're strongly committed to giving back to families in the communities we serve, and there's nothing more rewarding than putting a smile on a child's face," said Kent Larsson from Big Lots. "We are proud to once again contribute to the meaningful work of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and the Toys for Toys campaign, and we hope our donation helps parents during these tough times by bringing holiday cheer to kids across the country." From October 23 through December 16 Big Lots customers can drop their gifts of a new toy into the familiar Toys for Tots donation barrels at many of the 1,400 Big Lots stores. Although Big Lots has a non-solicitation policy at all of its stores, the company is proud to continue its tradition of community service through strategic alliances with national non-profit organizations such as Toys for Tots and The Salvation Army. Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE:BLI) is a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. As the nation's largest broadline closeout retailer, Big Lots operates more than 1,400 retail stores in 47 states. Five regional closeout distribution centers ranging in size from 1 million to 3 million square feet and two furniture distribution centers provide the company's stores with brand-name products from more than 3,000 manufacturers. Big Lots offers merchandise on average at 20 to 40 percent below most discount retailers and up to 70 percent below conventional retailers. Founded in 1967, the company employs more than 46,000 associates across the U.S. Big Lots offers consumers a unique shopping experience and a wide range of bargain-priced merchandise, including brand-name closeouts, one-of-a-kind deals, seasonal products, consumables, furniture, housewares, toys, and gifts. For more information, visit http://www.biglots.com/. Contact Information: Amy Stocker, Big Lots (614) 278-3180 This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com/. DATASOURCE: Big Lots, Inc. CONTACT: Amy Stocker, Big Lots, +1-614-278-3180 Web site: http://www.biglots.com/

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