After facing criticism for denying a Chinese-American infant a $25,000 prize in a New Year’s baby contest, Toys “R” Us has now reversed its decision. The company, based in Wayne, New Jersey, announced that it will award each of the three babies in the grand prize pool of the “First Baby of the Year Sweepstakes” a $25,000 savings bond. The contest was sponsored by Babies “R” Us, a subsidiary of Toys “R” Us.
Toys “R” Us, which recently opened its first mainland China store, had a change of heart following protests from Chinese-American advocates and media coverage from outlets such as ethnic newspapers and The New York Times.
In a written statement, the company expressed its love for all babies and apologized for the controversy surrounding the sweepstakes. They explained that the purpose of the contest was to welcome the first baby of 2007 and prepare for their future.
The original grand prize was meant to go to Yuki Lin, who was born at midnight at New York Downtown Hospital, according to hospital officials. Yuki won a random drawing along with two other babies. However, the company disqualified her because her mother was not a legal resident of the United States.
Toys “R” Us spokeswoman Kathleen Waugh clarified that the contest’s eligibility rules required babies’ mothers to be legal residents, despite promotional materials calling for all expectant New Year’s mothers to apply.
Yuki’s parents could not be reached for comment, and their immigration status remains unclear.
As a result of the disqualification, the original prize was awarded to runner-up Jayden Swain, born 19 seconds after midnight at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville, Georgia. The third baby in the running was born in Bay Shore, New York, to a couple from El Salvador.
SOURCE:FOXNEWS
