Play Comforts Partners Host Largest Event to Date

Military families stationed at installations in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia were brought comfort and joy as the Toy Industry Foundation in partnership with Boys and Girls Clubs of America delivered 7,000 brand new toys and games to our nation’s youngest heroes on Friday, August 5, 2011. 

More than 5,000 kids were treated to an Armed Forces FUNFEST saluting military youth at JEB Little Creek-Fort Story. The base is the country’s premier installation for housing and training the nation’s Expeditionary Forces.

Activities such as face painting, rock wall climbing and a performance by the Dirty Socks band helped build up the excitement for the afternoon’s big toy giveaway. Child and Youth Program Manager Nancy Evans explained that although thousands of kids had a chance to pick out a favorite toy of their own, some parents were there on their own to pick presents for the holiday season as well.  “One mother came up to me in tears because she had been worried about being able to provide for her kids at Christmas.”

Special thanks to TIA staff and Delegate Christopher P. Stolle, M.D who volunteered at the event. Toys contributions were generously donated to TIF’s Toy Bank by aNb Media, Anchor Bay Entertainment, Cardinal Industries, Inc., Every Baby Company, Fremont Die Consumer Products, Glide Bikes, Hasbro, Inc., Imperial Toy, KETTLER International, Learning Curve Brands, Inc., Patch Products, Inc., Prestige Toy Corp., SwimWays, Wal-mart and exhibitors at the American International Toy Fair®.

Photo Credits: John Cadell & Amanda McDorman