Toy Industry Association

Toy Industry Foundation Brings Holiday Joy to Children in Florida, Cuba

The Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) kicked off the holiday season by delivering the gift of play to thousands of kids at recent toy distribution events in Florida and Cuba.

On November 16th, the TIF team traveled to Hillsborough County, Florida, to deliver duffel bags filled with toys, toiletries and other essential items to more than 100 local children in foster care at The Children’s Home. The distribution was made possible through TIF’s national partnership with My Stuff Bags, a charitable organization that provides hope to children suffering from abuse, neglect and abandonment.

TIF staff, along with representatives from the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) Military Services, then traveled to MacDill Air Force Base on November 17th, for the largest Play Comforts toy distribution to date. About 4,000 children of military parents and 150 military volunteers received 5,500 toys, games and plush. Colonel Lenny Richoux, MacDill’s Commanding Officer, was on hand with his family to deliver opening remarks.

Finally, on December 4th, TIF and BGCA landed on Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to hold a special Play Comforts holiday toy distribution for 300 children on the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, marking the first international event under the partnership. The TIF team participated in the annual holiday parade, where a stream of dozens of vehicles decorated with holiday regalia wound its way through the streets of Guantanamo Bay, tossing candy and gifts to thousands of onlookers. The parade culminated in a much-anticipated toy distribution held at the Lyceum Theatre.

Holiday cheer was shouted out by kids of all ages as commanding officer Captain Kirk Hibbert welcomed TIF executive director Jean Butler, who addressed the troops and their families. The gathering was the largest of its kind on the base, and each child, from toddler to teen, was able to take a home a toy of their choice.

“We work to share the joy of play with as many children as we can,” said Butler. “We are proud to give these kids a little something extra to smile about during the holidays.”

The Play Comforts TIF-BGCA partnership focuses on bringing the joy of toys and play to the children of military families on bases with high deployment rates. More than 25,000 children have been served since the initiative was launched during the 2009 holiday season with a toy distribution event at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Toys are generously donated by toy companies via The Toy Bank, the Foundation’s signature program.
Photos from the Guantanamo Bay distribution can be viewed on the TIF website.


Voting for TOTY Now Open at ToyAwards.org

The Toy Industry Association (TIA) recently launched a new website, ToyAwards.org, that invites kids of all ages to vote for their favorite toys through January 14th, 2011.
Selected from a pool of 70 nominees in 11 distinct categories, the winning toys will be announced Saturday February 12th, 2011, at the Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards ceremony, which kicks off the 108th American International Toy Fair.

In addition to the consumer vote, ballots are open for retailers, media and members of the toy industry. Each will be weighted to determine the TOTY 2011 winners, including the coveted overall “Toy of the Year” Award.

Follow TOTY on Twitter at #TOTY11 and cast your vote online today at ToyAwards.org!
Holiday Toy Safety Tips & Trends

While safety is the number one priority of the U.S. toy industry year-round, TIA wants parents, grandparents, and other gift givers to be especially mindful this holiday season about choosing gifts that are appropriate for the ages and interests of the children in their lives.

In a video featured on ToyInfo.org, Joan Lawrence, TIA’s vice president of standards and regulatory affairs, shares some important toy safety tips to keep in mind when shopping for youngsters.

Also on ToyInfo.org, TIA trend specialist Reyne Rice discusses the hottest toys for the holidays.

For more information and updates about toys, play, toy safety and trends, be sure to check ToyInfo.org on a regular basis.