FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
800 Children at U.S. Coast Guard Base Kodiak Get New Toys and Games from Toy Industry Foundation
Kodiak, AK | October 24, 2016 – More than 800 kids and teens living with their families at U.S. Coast Guard Base Kodiak were treated to a special toy giveaway on October 22nd hosted by the Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) and national partner Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) Military Services.
Kids and parents enjoyed a fun-filled “fall festival” at the base’s Teen Center, where they played interactive games and had their faces painted. To cap off the event, each child in attendance got to take home a brand-new toy, choosing from a broad selection of playthings that included board games, puzzles, outdoor toys, stuffed animals, action figures, arts and crafts, and more. The toys and games were donated to TIF’s Toy Bank by generous toy manufacturers, distributors and retailers from across the nation.
“Far from the comforts of home, these children must live with the stressful prospect of having one or both parents deployed overseas at any time,” said Jean Butler, TIF executive director. “We were thrilled to provide a bit of extra support and joy as the holiday season draws near. It’s our way of saying ‘thank you’ to the brave men and women who serve our country every day of the year!”
“Boys & Girls Clubs of America and our military families are extremely appreciative of our 7th year of partnership with the Toy Industry Foundation,” said Terrill D. McFarland, National Vice President, Military & Outreach Services, BGCA. “As we enter our 26th year partnership with the Armed Services, we know that commitments with organizations like the Toy Industry Foundation will continue to assist in our goal to expand support to military-connected families. The partnership with the Toy Industry Foundation has helped to put a smile on the faces of our military-connected kids and teens. It is our way of saying, ‘Thank you for your sacrifice.’”
TIF’s Play Comforts program was launched in 2010 with BGCA to celebrate and support military families. To date, Play Comforts has provided $6.4 million in toys to more than 1.7 million children at U.S. military bases worldwide. By the end of 2016, Play Comforts will have impacted the lives of families at 243 military bases over the life of the program.
As the first-ever national toy distribution program to canvas every branch of the U.S. military, Play Comforts reaches military bases that are most in need of toys due to high deployment rates and other factors. Together, TIF and BGCA host special events at select bases, like the one held at U.S. Coast Guard Base Kodiak. In addition to providing kids with toys, these unique events provide wonderful opportunities for families to get together, relax, and enjoy a fun-filled day of laughter and play.
Toys distributed at this event were kindly donated by Alex Brands, Bananagrams, Hasbro, International Playthings, Kendama, LEGO, Lulu Jr., Mattel, Mayfair Games, Ohio Art, Play Monster and T.S. Shure Inc.
ABOUT TOY INDUSTRY FOUNDATION www.toyindustryfoundation.org
The Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) is a non-profit organization whose mission it is to bring the magic of play to children in need. 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. To date, TIF’s signature program, The Toy Bank, has provided more than $130 million in toys to nearly 20 million children in need around the globe, thanks to its generous toy donors.
ABOUT BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA www.bgca.org
For more than 150 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,200 Clubs serve nearly 4 million young people annually through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 54 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more on Facebook and Twitter.