Upcoming Play Comforts Events to Reach Kids in Puerto Rico, Japan and Hawaii

August 14, 2012 | The Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) is traveling far and wide this fall to distribute toys to children of military families. From Puerto Rico (Sept. 13 – Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen) to Japan (Nov. 1st – Marine Corps Base Camp Butler) to Hawaii (Dec. 4th – U.S. Army Garrison), TIF and partner Boys and Girls Club of America (BGCA) Military Services will host three toy giveaways for 13,000 families.

“These children experience difficult and unique circumstances, including separation from parents, worrying about their parents’ safety in combat and leaving friends behind as they move from home to home,” explains Melissa Kipp, Foundation Coordinator.

TIF is calling on the toy industry to donate toys and games for its final “Play Comforts” giveaways of the year.  These events will celebrate the conclusion of TIF’s 35 toy distributions around the world – reaching  50,000 U.S. kids – in 2012. 

Toy companies can contribute to the events in Puerto Rico, Japan and Hawaii by filling out a product donation form, checking “Play Comforts Donation,” and sending it back via fax or email (information listed on the form). Shipping instructions will be sent immediately upon receipt of the form. All toys can be shipped directly to TIF’s consolidation point in Georgia; the Foundation will handle getting the products to the event sites. 

To be included in the first event serving U.S. Coast Guard families in Puerto Rico, all toys must be received by Tuesday, August 21st . To be included in the Marine Corps or Army distributions, toys must be received by October 19th. For more information, contact Foundation Coordinator Melissa Kipp (646.520.4878).