On Friday December 24, 1999 Ty made the following newsflash on his website:

GLOBAL NEWSFLASH

I have been overwhelmed by the response to my announcement that all Beanies will retire on December 31, 1999. Since the announcement, there have been thousands of messages posted on websites worldwide discussing the discontinuation of Beanie Babies. I have received hundreds of letters from children, educators, hospitals, clinics, charities and collectors around the world asking me to reconsider my decision and create new Beanies.

After much thought, I am willing to put the fate of Beanie Babies in your hands. You make the decision. You have inspired the Beanie Babies line through your devotion to them. I will kickoff the new millennium by conducting the first live worldwide vote of its kind, a global vote to determine whether Beanie Babies should, or should not, be continued. Our Beanie Baby factories are shut down, but if you decide that new Beanie Babies should be created, I will re-launch production.

As the new millennium begins, people in every country and every time zone in the world will have an opportunity to participate in the "Beanie Babies Ballot". The global vote will begin on 12/31/99 at 6:00 a.m. EST, USA. When you access www.Ty.com you will be asked this question: "Should Ty create new Beanie Babies in the year 2000?" The website will give detailed instructions on how to cast a vote by internet or telephone at that time. On 1/2/00 at 6:00 a.m. EST, USA, the voting will come to an end. Results will be final and binding.

We will be charging an amount of U.S. $ .50 (fifty cents) per vote (which requires credit card validation). This charge should ensure integrity of the vote, as well as prevent over-voting. Ty employees/vendors/licensees are not eligible to vote. All proceeds (100%) from the vote will be donated to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Regardless of the outcome, children of the world will benefit from your vote. Remember that it is you that can make a difference in this world.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Ty Warner

On Monday December 27, 1999 Ty posted the following message on the Ty Talk Cyberboard:

I have been reading your posts both here and at other sites. I have heard your challenge to "put my money where my mouth is" by matching any funds raised from the "Global Poll". I think that is a great idea! I will, therefore, present the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation with an amount that is TRIPLE the amount raised by your voting! May the New Millennium bring each and every one of you health and happiness!

Ty Warner

In the end Ty ended up donating $1,000,000 this was about three times the total he was suppose to pay via his agreement to triple the total brought in from the votes, which was $104,881.50 times 3 = $314,644.50.

Later on June 1st 2000 Ariel the Beanie Babies was released!

Read more about the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and Ariel at their website!