Doing “Good Stuff” for Kids in Need
TIA to Sponsor Second Annual Stuff-A-Thon to Commemorate May as National Foster Care Month
On Friday, May 7th, the Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) and strategic partner My Stuff Bags Foundation will join forces with companies from across the toy industry to help disadvantaged children by filling more than 5,000 duffel bags with toys, toiletries and handmade items that will be distributed to child-focused charities across the United States. The event will commemorate May as National Foster Care Month.
It is estimated that each year 300,000 children enter foster care across the United States. Suffering from abuse or neglect, these children often leave their homes with few personal belongings other than the clothes on their backs.
"Representatives from toy and kid-focused entertainment companies large and small will work side-by-side with Foundation volunteers; several California state officials and My Stuff Bags Board Members are also expected to be on hand."
Coordinators have set a goal of making this year’s event bigger and better with even more volunteers, more toys and more completed bags.
“Last year’s event drew large numbers of toy industry volunteers and we anticipate an even greater crowd this year as word has spread,” said Jean Butler, TIF Executive Director and Vice President of Membership at the Toy Industry Association. “This event showcases the unified commitment of the toy industry to bring the joy of play to children who have been abused, neglected or abandoned.”
“Not only did we do some good last year, we had a good time,” agreed Janeen Holmes, President and CEO of My Stuff Bags. “Our Do Good Stuff-A-Thon is a unique opportunity to demonstrate how combined efforts can have a profound impact on the lives of these suffering children. Together with TIF we are reaching out to comfort America’s most vulnerable children, show them that they matter, and give them back dignity and hope through a My Stuff Bag.”
For those who can’t attend in person, a virtual event is also being held during the first week in May so that corporate teams can Do Good Stuff by sponsoring duffels online.
The Toy Industry Foundation has pledged to My Stuff Bags a contribution of $400,000 and 50,000 new toys over two years. The toys are donated via The Toy Bank™, which is generously stocked by toy industry manufacturer contributions throughout the year.
TIA to Sponsor Second Annual Stuff-A-Thon to Commemorate May as National Foster Care Month
On Friday, May 7th, the Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) and strategic partner My Stuff Bags Foundation will join forces with companies from across the toy industry to help disadvantaged children by filling more than 5,000 duffel bags with toys, toiletries and handmade items that will be distributed to child-focused charities across the United States. The event will commemorate May as National Foster Care Month.
It is estimated that each year 300,000 children enter foster care across the United States. Suffering from abuse or neglect, these children often leave their homes with few personal belongings other than the clothes on their backs.
"Representatives from toy and kid-focused entertainment companies large and small will work side-by-side with Foundation volunteers; several California state officials and My Stuff Bags Board Members are also expected to be on hand."
Coordinators have set a goal of making this year’s event bigger and better with even more volunteers, more toys and more completed bags.
“Last year’s event drew large numbers of toy industry volunteers and we anticipate an even greater crowd this year as word has spread,” said Jean Butler, TIF Executive Director and Vice President of Membership at the Toy Industry Association. “This event showcases the unified commitment of the toy industry to bring the joy of play to children who have been abused, neglected or abandoned.”
“Not only did we do some good last year, we had a good time,” agreed Janeen Holmes, President and CEO of My Stuff Bags. “Our Do Good Stuff-A-Thon is a unique opportunity to demonstrate how combined efforts can have a profound impact on the lives of these suffering children. Together with TIF we are reaching out to comfort America’s most vulnerable children, show them that they matter, and give them back dignity and hope through a My Stuff Bag.”
For those who can’t attend in person, a virtual event is also being held during the first week in May so that corporate teams can Do Good Stuff by sponsoring duffels online.
The Toy Industry Foundation has pledged to My Stuff Bags a contribution of $400,000 and 50,000 new toys over two years. The toys are donated via The Toy Bank™, which is generously stocked by toy industry manufacturer contributions throughout the year.
Play Comforts Partnership Supports Young Heroes
In celebration of National Boys and Girls Club Week (March 21-27, 2010), representatives of the Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) distributed toys to children of military families stationed at Virginia’s U.S. Coast Guard Base Portsmouth MWR and Naval Base Portsmouth. The event was held on Thursday afternoon, March 25 … on the very day that many military moms and dads arrived home from patrol on the Coast Guard Cutter Northland.
An estimated 200 military families from every branch of service were in attendance and more than 1,000 toys were distributed. [see photos]
The toys were donated to The Toy Bank, the Foundation’s signature program, by hundreds of generous toy manufacturers during February’s American International Toy Fair.
Through the Play Comforts partnership, TIF is providing toys to members of Boys & Girls Clubs located on military bases with high deployment rates across the country. The initiative includes grant funding from the Foundation and is the first-ever national toy distribution program to canvas all five branches of the military.
“The Toy Industry Foundation is deeply committed to giving back to our military families who have given so much for our country,” said Jean Butler, TIF Executive Director. “These children are in special need of support and it is our hope that through the joy of play, we can provide the comfort they so deserve.”
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For more information about these and other TIF programs, please visit www.toyindustryfoundation.org.
