The Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) continuously strives to put smiles on the faces of children in need. This holiday season will be no exception, when TIF and Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) launch the winter festivities with their largest toy distribution to date.
As part of the TIF-BGCA Play Comforts partnership—which focuses on bringing the joy of play to the children of military families on our nation’s bases with the highest deployment rates—the November 17 distribution will reach more than 5,000 children at Florida’s MacDill Air Force Base.
“Members of the toy industry are deeply committed to giving back to our military families who have made great sacrifices for our country,” says Jean Butler, executive director of TIF. “Children who are missing one or both parents because they are deployed on active duty are in special need of comfort. The toy industry and TIF are pleased to provide these small gifts that will inspire the joy of play and help give these kids something to smile about.”
New toys and games from TIF’s Toy Bank—which receives thousands of toys, games, and plush products year-round from toy manufacturers, retailers, and distributors from across the country—will be accepted by senior MacDill Air Force officials on behalf of the Air Force community.
“We are extraordinarily grateful for the Toy Industry Foundation’s continuous generosity,” says Terrill D. Wicks, BGCA’s vice-president of military services and international projects. “Their unwavering support for our military youth is greatly appreciated.”
The Toy Industry Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to bring joy, comfort, and learning to children in need through toys and play. The Play Comforts campaign was launched during the 2009 holiday season and is the only known toy distribution program to support every branch of the U.S. military. By the end of 2010, TIF and BGCA will have donated 25,000 toys to military children through Play Comforts.