Toy Association Member Spotlight: COVID-19 & Beyond
May 26, 2020 | This Toy Association member spotlight highlights the good work companies are doing throughout the industry, both for those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
Crayola
On UN World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, Crayola announced the launch of its Colors of the World crayon collection, featuring 24 new specially formulated colors designed to represent more than 40 global skin tones. To ensure an accurate and inclusive palette of skin tones, Crayola worked with Victor Casal, the former chief chemist and managing director, R&D of MAC cosmetics and current cofounder and CEO of MOB Beauty.
Funko
Funko announced a new line of Pop! Heroes created to honor first responders on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. In association with the collection, Funko has made a donation to GlobalGiving, which provides a global crowdfunding platform for grassroots charitable projects. Hot Topic and BoxLunch are also donating all net proceeds from the four Pop! figures to GlobalGiving's Coronavirus Relief Fund.
Learning Resources
Learning Resources has partnered with actress, author of best-selling mathematics books, and producer Danica McKellar (The Wonder Years) to host free live learning experiences on Instagram Live for kids ages 5 to10. The interactive experiences include coding activities designed to inspire learning. In conjunction with this series, Learning Resources is donating $25,000 in educational toys to the Kids in Need Foundation in partnership with McKellar. McKellar is also the founder of mckellarmath.com.
Sphero
Sphero announced the creation of Company Six, a spin-off which will develop commercialized intelligent robots and AI-based software applications for first responders, government, defense, and those who work in "dangerous situations."
Spin Master
Spin Master is donating close to 90,000 toys at a retail value of approximately $1 million to children in need in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Charitable partners include Baby2Baby, Toys for Tots, School on Wheels, Variety The Children’s Charity of Southern California, Chai Lifeline West Coast, Chai Lifeline Canada, Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Canada, Save the Children, Toronto Firefighter’s Toy Drive, and additional charities through the help of Impact Giving. A selection of plush, board games, activity toys, puzzles, action figures, dolls, R/C vehicles, and more will be donated.
Spin Master is also continuing to manufacture face shields for frontline healthcare workers. To date, more than 200,000 face shields have been delivered to medical centers, nursing homes, and shelters across North America.
Wizards of the Coast
Wizards of the Coast, a subsidiary of Hasbro, will host a virtual star-studded Dungeons & Dragons gaming event, D&D Live 2020: Roll w/ Advantage, June 18 to 20. Featuring a cast of characters led by expert storytellers, the live gaming sessions are designed to help raise money for Red Nose Day to aid vulnerable children across the U.S. and around the world who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Want to be featured in the next Member Spotlight? Email Jennifer Lynch with company news. To see more examples of how the toy community is giving back amid the COVID-19 pandemic, click here.