North American Toy Industry Has Made $50 Million in Charitable Donations Through Toy Industry Foundation’s Toy Bank Program
Over 7 Million Toys Distributed to Children around the Globe
The Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) announced that generous product donations received during the 2009 holiday season helped the industry reach an incredible milestone of $50 million dollars in donated toys. The product donations were received via The Toy Bank, which was established as the Toy Industry Foundation’s signature program in 2003.
In the six years since The Toy Bank program’s launch, more than 1,000 toy companies have donated over seven (7) million toys for children in need across the globe.
“The mission of toymakers is to bring joy to children’s lives,” said Jean Butler, TIF Executive Director. “The Toy Industry Foundation is proud to represent such an altruistic industry. Through the generosity of these companies, we have been able to share the incredible excitement of toys and play with children in need worldwide.”
Nearly 400 charities have received toys for the children they serve who are living in poverty, rescued from abuse, seeking treatment for chronic illnesses, and going through many other difficult situations. The Toy Industry Foundation has proudly partnered with the following leading national organizations to assist in placing the donated toys in the hands of children in need:
- Gifts in Kind International, Inc.
- Kids in Distressed Situations, Inc.
- Ronald McDonald House Charities®
- My Stuff Bags Foundation
- Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Through the Foundation’s Play HealsTM program, every Ronald McDonald House in the United States and Canada can request Toy Bank toys for the children they serve. With help from TIF, each year the My Stuff Bags Foundation provides more than 30,000 duffel bags filled with toys, clothing and personal care products to children in foster care. The newest TIF partner, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, is distributing toys to the children on U.S. military bases with the highest deployment rates through the TIF’s new Play Comforts initiative.
The next big toy collection will take place after the American International Toy Fair, held in New York City on February 14-17, 2010. Exhibiting companies will be invited to contribute product to The Toy Bank.
Santa Joined with TIF at Walter Reed Army Medical Center to Make the Holidays Merry for Military Kids
Building on a commitment to our country’s military families shown during Fall Toy Preview®, the Toy Industry Foundation was excited to launch its new national Play Comforts, partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America Military Services at a special toy distribution at The Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC on December 15, 2009.
More than 750 toys were distributed to deserving service men and women — many of whom have served multiple tours of duty in Iraq — and their families. Santa and several elves assisted with the distribution as carolers sang holiday melodies.
“Through The Toy Bank, TIF was able to spread some holiday joy by providing new toys and gifts to children of military families,” explained Jean Butler, TIF executive director. “It was very humbling to be among service members who were injured in the wars … their sacrifices left an impression on all of us. Our work with the Boys & Girls Clubs will help us get toys into the hands of deserving military kids across the country.”
The Play Comforts partnership with BGCA focuses on delivering toys to children on military bases with the highest deployment rates. The initiative is the first-ever national toy distribution program to canvas every branch of the military- Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines and the Navy. The families of both active duty and reserve personnel are eligible.
“The toys given at the event at Walter Reed and throughout the partnership will help to comfort the war-related anxieties, stress of extended deployments, tension associated with frequent moves, and depression over constant real-time conflict news coverage that these children experience,” added Amanda McDorman, TIF manager. “It was heartwarming to see these children become so thrilled with their new toys!”
Toymakers are encouraged to make a product donation to help brighten the lives of military families throughout the year; for more information, please contact Toy Bank Coordinator Marisa Medina (646.454.5581).
