Toy Companies Continue to Spread Joy Through Philanthropic and Corporate Citizenship Efforts
March 21, 2017 | Did you know that many toy companies are as philanthropic as they are innovative? Check out the following list of recent charitable acts and corporate citizenship initiatives led by Toy Industry Association (TIA) members and other toy companies, including Bears for Humanity, GUND, Mattel, Sesame Street, and Pokémon.
Bears for Humanity’s BOGO Offer to Children in Need
Founded by husband and wife team Vijay and Renju Prathap, Bears for Humanity is a toy company that is committed to helping those in need. The company offers a “Buy One, Give One” program where for every teddy bear purchased, the Union City, CA-based business gives a stuffed bear to a child in need through its giving network, including Toys for Tots, Semper Fi Fund, Children International, and One Simple Wish. Bears for Humanity also trains and employs workers in the Northern California region who participate in California’s welfare-to-work program, California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs), to hand-make the plush line in the United States. As of January 1, Bears for Humanity has donated teddy bears worth more than $1 million to children in need since inception.
GUND Donates Stuffed Animals and Pet Food to New Jersey Pet Shelter
New Jersey-based GUND made a pledge during this year’s North American International Toy Fair, that for every business card collected during the show, they would donate one can of pet food to help animals in need. As a result, GUND recently donated more than 50 Official Grumpy Cat stuffed animals and more than 1,000 cans of pet food to St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in Madison, NJ.
Mattel Commits $50 Million to UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital
Mattel announced a $50 million gift to UCLA Health that will fund an expansion of the UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital and help establish a world-class pediatric care center and research hub focused on improving children’s health. Mattel has been a committed partner to UCLA Health for more than 20 years, providing more than $80 million to UCLA in support of the university and health care system. The donation is the largest ever made to UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital and enables the hospital to build a “kids-only” system of care, ensuring the child’s experience remains the No. 1 focus through facilities designed with patients and families in mind. In addition, the gift will help the hospital continually improve care and outcomes; ensure that all staff is specialized in treating children; and better integrate play and health during treatment to comfort children when they need it most.
Sesame Street Introduces New Autistic Character, Julia
Sesame Workshop has unveiled a new character, Julia, who is the first autistic Muppet to join Sesame Street’s line up. Julia is part of Sesame Workshop’s Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children, a nationwide initiative aimed at communities with children ages 2 to 5. The program offers families ways to manage common challenges, to simplify everyday activities, and to grow connections and support from family, friends, and community. The “Meet Julia” special episode airs next month on HBO and PBS KIDS in the U.S.
Pokémon Raises Money for Ongoing Tsunami Relief
The Pokémon Company launched a new Japanese promotion to raise money for ongoing tsunami relief. Fans who donate to the "Pokémon with You" charity will receive a special Pikachu for Pokémon Sun and Moon that knows the move Bestow, a move that transfers a held item to another Pokémon. Pikachu can typically only learn Bestow via breeding, a process that can take hours to complete. Pokémon with You was created after an earthquake and tsunami struck Tokohu in 2011, killing more than 16,000 people and causing $235 billion in damages. Players can donate to Pokémon with You through March 31 to qualify for the special Pikachu.
Want to be included in future articles on charitable and corporate citizenship initiatives by members? Email lchartorynsky@toyassociation.org with company news.