T.J. MAXX CUSTOMERS RAISE OVER $750,000 FOR THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR AUTISM RESEARCH IN ONLY THREE WEEKS

Framingham, MA - In just three weeks, T.J. Maxx customers raised more than $750,000 for the National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR), through “Footprints,” an in-store point-of-purchase program. The successful dollar donation campaign took place at close to 800 stores across the country and ran through April 17th as part of National Autism Awareness Month. Last year, the “Footprints” program/partnership raised close to $580,000 for NAAR.

“We are very grateful for the generosity of our customers and our associates this year. Funding research for autism is a critical need as the prevalence for autism continues to increase in this country and around the world,” said Ted English, President and CEO of The TJX Companies, Inc.

The Footprints program at T.J. Maxx has raised more than $1.3 million for autism research in just two years, since its inception in 2004.

“We are absolutely amazed at the extraordinary results of this year’s campaign and the outstanding support of all T.J. Maxx associates and their customers,” said NAAR Trustee Margie Pascetta, the parent of a child with autism. "NAAR is extremely grateful for the leadership of Ted English, without whom this program would not have been possible. T.J. Maxx has truly left a lasting imprint and is spreading public awareness about the critical need for autism research and accelerating NAAR’s mission of advancing autism research to find treatments and a cure.”

To find out more about NAAR and autism research, log onto www.naar.org.

About NAAR
The National Alliance for Autism Research is the first organization in the U.S. dedicated to funding and accelerating biomedical research focusing on autism spectrum disorders. Established in 1994 by parents of children with autism concerned about the limited amount of funding available for autism research, NAAR was created in a spirit of optimism and excitement over the opportunities for accelerating the pace of autism research. This spirit continues to guide the organization today, enabled by recent advances in neurosciences and other scientific fields. NAAR is a 501 (c) (3) organization - contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

About T.J. Maxx
T.J. Maxx, a division of The TJX Companies, Inc., is a Massachusetts-based off-price retailer with close to 800 stores in 48 states. The chain sells brand name, designer merchandise and accessories at prices up to 60% less than department and specialty store regular prices, every day. For the nearest T.J. Maxx store, call 1-800-2TJ-MAXX, or visit tjmaxx.com, for great finds at terrific prices. The site is an easily accessible resource where new fashion and accessories are posted daily.

###