Toy Industry Foundation Brings Fun and Play to Hundreds of
Children at Florida Naval Base
June 22, 2012 | More than 400 boys and girls living
on Naval Air Station Key West were treated to a special toy giveaway on
June 20th by the Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) and partner Boys
& Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) Military Services. The
fun-filled day brought toys, games and laughter to families stationed at
the base, providing some relief to the kids whose parents bravely serve
our country.
As the children and their parents at the Naval Air Station know,
military life is difficult. For an entire day, these families left
their worries behind as they chose toys from among an array of brand new
playthings including games, stuffed animals, books and dolls at a
“Toys in Paradise”-themed giveaway featuring “Santa
Claus,” music and more. [View photos from the
event]
The TIF/BGCA Play Comforts partnership, now in its
third year of operation, is the first-ever national toy distribution
program to serve every branch of the military. TIF has provided
more than 200,000 toys to BGCA for children on military bases since the
partnership launched in 2010.
“Many military parents thank us for the toys we hand out at our
giveaway events,” said Jean Butler, Executive Director, Toy
Industry Foundation. “But this is our way of thanking them
– for the sacrifices they make for our freedom and safety, and for
the sacrifices their families make as well.”
“We are proud to partner with the Toy Industry
Foundation. Their support and generous donations always put a
smile on the faces of the military connected youth we serve,” said
Terrill D. Wicks, Vice President of Military Operations, BGCA.
Added Jesus Claudio, a USMC Major on the base and father of
three: “We are recognized all the time for our service, but
the kids are the real heroes. They are giving up time with their moms
and dads and sometimes they don’t know if or when they will
return. I’m grateful for events like these that make the
kids smile.”
Through the Play Comforts partnership, toys donated to
TIF’s Toy Bank by generous toymakers and merchants
are delivered year-round to U.S. military installations at home and
abroad. By the close of 2012, the partnership will have
brought play to 65 bases.
Gifts distributed at the Key West event were generously donated
by aNb Media, The Bridge Direct, Cardinal Games, Demos Toy Company, Just
Play, Kendama USA, LEGO, Moebius Models, Patch Products, Prestige Toy,
Safari Ltd., Schoenhut Piano Co., Toyops, Uncle Skunkle Toys,
USAopoly, and Wyla Inc.
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