DALLAS – During July, cartoonland became real at 11 U.S. 7-Eleven stores that were transformed into Kwik-E-Marts from the "The Simpsons." Convenience-store customers and Simpsons fans alike made the life-sized Simpsons characters, product signage and faux store fronts hugely popular. Some die-hard fans even drove across state lines to shop at a Kwik-E-Mart.

Yesterday, 7-Eleven deconstructed the cartoon image of its Kwik-E-Mart stores, including the yellow "brick," the polystyrene renditions of some of "The Simpsons Movie" cast, and the interior and exterior marketing signs that were part of a campaign to promote the film, which opened last week.

The convenience store chain donated the items to the Children's Miracle Network-affiliated hospitals, which will use them to raise funds and/or entertain patients. All recipient hospitals are located in the same major metropolitan areas as the Kwik-E-Mart stores. The Chief Wiggum character has been requested by some police departments, who plan to use his likeness at community events.

"We have left it up to the hospitals to use the Kwik-E-Mart memorabilia where they believe they will do the most good or bring the most joy," Nancy Lear, 7-Eleven community relations director, said in a press release. "Our employees and customers have had a lot of fun this month, and we hope that, by passing the Kwik-E-Mart sets along to Children's Miracle Network hospitals, we can help raise much-needed funds for these hospitals while continuing to bring laughter to people." 

Products from the movie, such as Sprinklicious donuts, boxes of Krusty O's Cereal, six-packs of Buzz Cola and Radioactive Man comic books, along with other licensed Simpsons merchandise, will be available at participating stores through August while supplies last. The popular, bright pink donut from the movie's logo will continue to be offered because it was developed by 7-Eleven and its bakery partners and can be made fresh and delivered daily to stores.