Toy Industry Foundation Holds Record-Breaking Toy Drive at Toy Fair 2013

NEW YORK, March 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) held its most successful one-day toy collection in the ten-year history of The Toy Bank this past February, gathering more than 42,000 toys and games worth over $400,000 for children in need. Held on the last day of the American International Toy Fair, the annual toy drive surpassed last year's toy totals, with 33% more toys donated by exhibitors at the trade show.

"This landmark collection was the perfect way to kick off The Toy Bank's 10^th anniversary year," said Jean Butler, executive director of the Toy Industry Foundation.  "Since The Toy Bank's founding in 2003, caring toy companies have helped us to deliver the joy of play to more than 10 million disadvantaged children ... We're off to a wonderful start for 2013, and we cannot wait to share what the rest of the year has in store!"

From bikes and outdoor toys to dollhouses, action figures, puzzles and books, playthings from 284 exhibiting companies were collected by 100 volunteers on the last day of the show.  The toys are now en route to 21 children's charities in The Toy Bank network, including New York-area organizations such as The NY Foundling, The Legacy Center and Dream Center, as well as to TIF's national partners – the Boys and Girls Clubs of America Military Services and CASA for Children, an organization that provides one-on-one advocacy and guidance for children in the foster care system.

As the Foundation's first and largest toy drive of the year, the collection initiated a year-long celebration of The Toy Bank's 10^th birthday. In the last decade, The Toy Bank has delivered nearly $80 million in toys to children who are sick, impoverished, rescued from abusive homes, living through natural disasters, enduring life on a military base, or otherwise in need.

The 10^th annual collection at Toy Fair took place on Wednesday, February 13^th at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. A full list of exhibiting companies that participated in the drive is available on the TIF website.

The Toy Bank accepts product and financial donations year-round. Visit www.toyindustryfoundation.org or contact The Toy Bank to learn more.

ABOUT TOY INDUSTRY FOUNDATION  (www.toyindustryfoundation.org)
While other organizations provide food, shelter and support services to children and their families, the Toy Industry Foundation 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. The Foundation currently fulfills its mission through core programs including The Toy Bank™ and grants to organizations whose missions are in line with that of the Toy Industry Foundation. Now celebrating its 10^th anniversary year, The Toy Bank receives donations of newly manufactured toys from members of the toy industry and distributes them through local charities to underserved, at-risk and homeless children throughout the United States and around the world.  The Toy Bank is administered in partnership with Kids in Distressed Situations. TIF is the philanthropic arm of the Toy Industry Association.

SOURCE Toy Industry Foundation