An estimated 1.7 million children of military families cope with separation from family and friends every day.  To provide comfort for the sons and daughters of our nation’s active duty and reserve personnel on a national scale, TIF entered into a new partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA).

Through this partnership, Toy Bank toys and gifts will be distributed to Boys & Girls Clubs located on military bases with the highest deployment rates across the country.  In addition, TIF has provided grant funding for this first-ever national toy distribution program to canvas every branch of the military.  The Foundation has the potential to reach hundreds of thousands of children nation-wide, easing the stress that they can experience while having a parent in the military.  The partnership launched during the 2009 holiday season with a toy distribution event at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

“We are grateful the Toy Industry Foundation has chosen to focus on this particular group of our Club members,” said Terrill D. Wicks, BGCA’s Vice President of Military Services and International Projects.  “These children face more challenges than most with one or both parents deployed.  Being able to put smiles on faces through the gift of a toy or game is a wonderful thing.”

Read the full press release announcing this groundbreaking effort.  To donate toys to The Toy Bank specifically for military families, complete our Product Donation Agreement and check “Play Comforts Donation”.