Connie Talbot Named Child Ambassador for 2009 Marine Toys for Tots Campaign, Announces Holiday Album

Connie Talbot Named Child Ambassador for 2009 Marine Toys for Tots Campaign, Announces Holiday Album

ALBANY, N.Y., Sept. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Who better than a child to represent the highly esteemed Marine Corps Toys for Tots Campaign? And what better child than Connie Talbot, the acclaimed 8-year-old vocalist who first came to worldwide attention as a finalist on the mega-popular entertainment program Britain's Got Talent? Upon her installation as ambassador for the U.S. Marine Corps' annual holiday charitable program, the pint-sized superstar immediately announced that she would dedicate her forthcoming holiday album to Toys for Tots and donate part of the proceeds to the venerable organization. In addition, Connie will help promote the cause and spread the Toys for Tots message around the nation.

Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is a national not-for-profit program that has, for more than 60 years, provided new, unwrapped toys to our nation's neediest children during the holiday season. By distributing more than 350 million toys during its history, Toys for Tots has not only given children new playthings, but also a message of hope. Through toy drives and coordinated activities, Toys for Tots has united communities and provided role models.

"The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is extremely proud and excited to have Connie as our youngest ambassador ever," said retired Marine Corps Major Bill Grein, vice president of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. "She is the perfect person to inform the public of the millions of less fortunate children who may be overlooked this Christmas holiday season, unless people step up to donate a toy or make a cash contribution. Her angelic looks and voice will remind everyone of the innocence of children," Grein continued. "And they all deserve to experience the magic of the holiday season! I hope she sells lots of CDs and raises a lot of money and awareness for our children."

Connie Talbot is proud to support the cause and will help popularize the Marine Toys for Tots program by promoting it in advertisements and on television during the fourth quarter of 2009. The promotion will coincide with the October 13th release of Connie Talbot's Holiday Magic, featuring the young songbird's renditions of classic holiday songs. Connie will also perform at a number of Toys for Tots fundraising events across the U.S. "I'm completely proud for AAO and Connie to be part of this great cause," says Peter G. Kuys, chairman. "Not only that, but I believe that Connie epitomizes what Toys for Tots stands for and will do the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots foundation proud. We here at AAO/Reality will support that with all of our hearts."

The holiday album and the Marine Toys for Tots alliance will cap off an incredibly prolific and successful year for the rising star. Connie enjoyed successful hit singles with the classic "I Will Always Love You" and "Three Little Birds," and continual strong sales of her debut album, Over the Rainbow (all released on AAO/Reality). In the two years since her discovery -- at the age of 6 -- on the Simon Cowell-hosted Britain's Got Talent, Connie has traveled all over the U.S. and abroad to such locales as Japan and South Korea, where she is a platinum-selling artist. When asked about her Toys for Tots announcement, Connie states, "I'm sad and happy -- sad because I'm learning there are so many children who are not as lucky as I am, and I'm happy that I'm able to help them."

www.toysfortots.org

www.aaomusic.com

Source: AAO/Reality

CONTACT: Lydia Sherwood of Presto Public Relations, +1-360-734-8315, for
AAO/Reality

Web Site: http://www.aaomusic.com/

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