Military Families in San Diego Receive Toys and Games from Toy Industry Foundation

“Day of Play” Hosted by TIF in Partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America Military Services

San Diego, CA | March 2, 2013 – Nearly 1,000 sons and daughters of military personnel stationed in San Diego, California were treated to a toy giveaway on March 2, 2013 by the Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) and national partner Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) Military Services. 

Families stationed at Naval Base Coronado were joined by marine families from nearby Camp Pendleton for a fun-filled day of play, crafts, entertainment, and food. The children were gifted with brand new toys and games donated by generous toy manufacturers from across the nation.

The event was the first of many toy giveaways to be held on military bases during 2013as part of the joint TIF/BGCA Play Comforts program – the first-ever national toy distribution program to serve every branch of the military.  Now in its fourth year of operation, the program has provided more than $3.5 million in toys for children residing on U.S. military bases.

“Military life is very stressful, especially for children whose parents are on active duty,” said Jean Butler, Executive Director, Toy Industry Foundation.  “We understand how play can help ease some of their anxiety and let these families know that we appreciate the sacrifices they make for our nation every day.”

AWF1 Brandstetter of the US Navy and father of two said, "It means a lot  that the Foundation and the toy companies are thinking about us and our families.  This was a great day for the kids!"

Through the Play Comforts program, toys donated by caring toy companies are delivered to families on dozens of U.S. military installations at home and abroad all year long. Gifts distributed at this event were generously donated by Barb-a-Mel Books, Cartamundi, Cloud B, DuneCraft, Elenco, GANZ, Gibout Toys, Hasbro, Kidz Toys, Lee Magic Pen, LEGO, Look Out World, Mattel, MindWare, RBI Toys, Squishable, TMI Toy Marketing International, and Wonder Forge.

Toy Industry Foundation (www.toyindustryfoundation.org) 
The Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to bring joy, comfort, and learning to children in need through toys and play. While other organizations provide food, shelter and support services to children and their families, TIF sees to it that these children have toys and opportunities to play in an attempt to restore both fun and a sense of normalcy to their lives.

About Boys & Girls Club of America (BGCA) (www.bgca.org)
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America has helped kids "Be Great," providing hope and opportunity for those who need it most. Today, more than 3,900 Clubs serve some 4.1 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Known as The Positive Place for Kids, Boys & Girls Clubs can be found throughout the country and on U.S. military bases worldwide, providing young people 6-18 years old with guidance-oriented character development programs conducted by trained, professional staff. Clubs positively impact lives and help young people reach their full potential as productive, caring citizens. In a recent Harris Survey of Club alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta.