Toy Industry Foundation to Collect Thousands of Plush, Toys and Games at Toy Fair 2011

NEW YORK, Feb. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Toy Industry Foundation (TIF), in partnership with Kids in Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.), will cap off the 108th American International Toy Fair with a toy drive through The Toy Bank, the Foundation’s signature program.

The collection will kick-off today (Wednesday, February 16th) when Toy Fair closes. At 4 p.m., 100 volunteers will scour the show floors at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center to gather exhibitors’ samples of plush, toys and games which will benefit children in need.

“We’re pleased to partner with K.I.D.S. again this year, for our 8th annual Toy Bank collection at Toy Fair,” said Jean Butler, Executive Director, Toy Industry Foundation. “Thanks to the generosity of exhibitors and the help of countless volunteers, we can continue to spread the joy of toys and play to deserving children nationwide. Our goal for 2011 is to have 25% of exhibitors participate in this philanthropic event.”

Each year, more than 200 exhibitors contribute to the annual Toy Drive; on average, 25,000 pieces, valued at approximately $250,000, are collected from the aisles at Toy Fair. In 2010, donating companies represented 33 states and eight countries.

Donated products collected at Toy Fair 2011 will benefit TIF’s partnerships with Ronald McDonald House Charities, the My Stuff Bags Foundation and Boys and Girls Clubs of America Military Services. Products will also be distributed nationwide through K.I.D.S. to the Toy Bank network of charity recipients, including Museo del Barrio, Christ Tabernacle of Glendale, World Vision, The New York Foundling, New Alternatives for Children, Children of Promise, Bronxworks, Newark Now and Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies.

“We are delighted to be collaborating once again with the Toy Industry Foundation to put smiles on children’s faces,” said Dr. Janice Weinman, President of K.I.D.S. “This is such a great opportunity for manufacturers to give back to the kids who need our help the most.”

The Toy Industry Foundation works year-round to bring the ‘tools of play’ to kids who are living in poverty, recovering from abuse or crisis, suffering from chronic illness, or living with the stress of having a parent in the military. TIF’s Toy Bank facilitates this mission by collecting newly manufactured toys from members of the toy industry and distributing them through local charities serving children in difficult situations.