COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Big Lots (NYSE:BIG), the nation's largest broadline closeout retailer, will team up with the U.S. Marines and Santa to deliver toys to needy children across the country - starting with a $10,000 Toys for Tots shopping spree. On Thursday, Dec. 3, at 11:30 a.m., members of Lima Company, the local Marine Corps Unit, will shop for hundreds of much-needed toys at the retailer's Dublin location, 6569 Sawmill Road. They will be joined by members of the Big Lots Young Professionals group who will help shop and load carts. At 5 p.m. that evening, Girl Scouts from Troop 1500 of the Ohio Heartland Council will also have an opportunity to assist with shopping for donated toys. "The Marines have always been known for saving the day," said CEO Steve Fishman. "We want to help them save one of the most important days in the eyes of a child. Our partnership with Toys for Tots truly enables us to bring hope and happiness to children and struggling families across America." Big Lots has been a loyal corporate sponsor of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Campaign since 1994, conducting toy collection drives at its 1,300+ stores across the country. The company also provides special discounted pricing on new toys to the Toys for Tots Foundation through its Granted Wishes Program. In addition to the $10,000 toy-shopping spree, Big Lots will donate $25,000 to the national foundation and an additional $10,000 to the Central Ohio Campaign during the ABC 6 Toys for Tots Toy Drive on Saturday, December 5, from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. at the ABC 6 studio, 1261 Dublin Road, Columbus. The Big Lots Toys for Tots drive, along with other donations, helped the Foundation distribute over 20 million new toys to needy youngsters last year. This year, as more families struggle just to pay their bills, the Foundation has experienced a dramatic increase in toy requests. "More people will be turning to Toys for Tots to help them deliver the magic of the season," said Rob Claxton, Big Lots Senior VP of Marketing. "We want to make it as easy as possible for the American public to join us in making sure that every child has a present from Santa under the tree." Through December 5, Big Lots customers and associates can drop their gift of a new toy into red and green Toys for Tots donation boxes at 1,300+ Big Lots locations nationwide. About Toys for Tots The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program began in 1947 when Major William L. (Bill) Hendricks, USMCR and a handful of Marine Reservists in Los Angeles collected and distributed 5,000 toys to needy children on Christmas Eve. Today, Toys for Tots is the Marine Corps' premier community action program and one of the nation's flagship Christmas charitable causes. About Big Lots, Inc. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Big Lots (NYSE:BIG) is a Fortune 500 company with more than 1,300 stores in 47 states. As the nation's largest broadline closeout retailer, Big Lots offers consumers a wide range of bargain-priced merchandise, including brand-name closeouts, seasonal products, consumables, furniture, housewares, toys, and gifts. The Company also sells merchandise through BIG LOTS WHOLESALE, CONSOLIDATED INTERNATIONAL, and WISCONSIN TOY and http://www.biglotswholesale.com/. DATASOURCE: Big Lots CONTACT: Rob Claxton, Senior Vice President, Marketing, +1-614-278-6802, or Jeremy Ball, Administrative Services Manager, +1-614-278-3206, both of Big Lots Web Site: http://www.biglotswholesale.com/

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