Record-Breaking “Play Your Part” Event Brings 26,000 Toys to Children in Southern California
July 10, 2019 | Play Your Part LA, part of The Toy Foundation’s (TTF) popular industry volunteer series, set a new record for toys donated at its annual Los Angeles-based event on June 26, with more than 26,000 items given by generous toy companies to children in need. The fun-filled day of play brought smiles to the faces of more than 400 kids facing abuse, homelessness, and other adversities.
Local news stations, ABC and KTLA, were on hand to capture the magic of the day. Check out The Toy Foundation’s Facebook page for photos from Play Your Part LA.
“The Toy Foundation’s ‘Play Your Part’ events span across the country and continue to have a tremendous impact on many deserving kids,” said Jean Butler, executive director of The Toy Foundation. “Our next ‘Play Your Part’ event will take place on July 17 in Chicago where hundreds of local foster kids will receive lots of toys and get to enjoy an awesome day of play.”
Play Your Part LA event sponsors included ASA Products/Mobo Cruiser, Bandai, Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Company, Disney, Educational Insights, Funrise, JAKKS Pacific, Mattel, NBCUniversal, Nickelodeon, Shoot the Moon, Thinker-Tinker, Women in Toys, Wood Expressions, and WowWee.
In all, 34 toy and entertainment companies sent 200+ employee volunteers to Play Your Part LA, co-hosted by The Toy Foundation and the Dream Center, an LA-based non-profit that provides outreach to low-income communities. Companies participated by sponsoring activity stations and/or donating brand-new toys, while volunteers led the children in games and activations, stuffed gift bags, wrote heartfelt letters of comfort to kids, and helped with the event’s toy distribution. Additional toys will be distributed to tens of thousands of kids in need across the state of California.
“From the number of toys donated to those who carved out time in their busy days to help out, we’re so fortunate to work in an industry that places emphasis on giving back and ensuring that thousands of children in need have something to smile about,” Butler added.
Play Your Part Chicago will take place on Wednesday, July 17. For more information on how to participate, visit The Toy Foundation website or contact TTF’s Elizabeth Max (646.520.4851).