TO BUSINESS, RADIO-TELEVISION AND EDUCATION EDITORS:

NEW YORK, Dec. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP), a leading global information services provider, today announced a donation of nearly 150,000 educational books, games, flash cards and toys to the 10th Annual NBC "Today's" Toy Drive. The donation covers a wide range of subject areas including reading, financial literacy, science, and communication skills.

"We are pleased to donate educational books and games that will help children gain important skills such as learning to read and learning basic financial literacy," said Harold McGraw III, chairman, president and chief executive officer of The McGraw-Hill Companies. "Development of these skills is crucial for children's future success -both personally and professionally."

"Today's" Toy Drive provides gifts for children and teenagers across the country who might not otherwise receive holiday gifts. The gifts will be distributed to more than 220 children's service organizations serving more than 600,000 children nationwide.

Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies is a global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor's, BusinessWeek and McGraw-Hill Education. The Corporation has more than 320 offices in 34 countries. Sales in 2002 were $4.8 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com.

SOURCE  The McGraw-Hill Companies