Toy Industry and My Stuff Bags Foundation Honor National Foster Care Month with "Do Good Stuff-a-Thon"

Third Annual Event Fills 5,000 Bags for Kids in Need

NEW YORK and LOS ANGELES, May 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Executives and employees from across the toy industry joined forces today with California legislators and local volunteers to commemorate National Foster Care Month and help children in need at the Third Annual Toy Industry Foundation (TIF)  and My Stuff Bags Foundation "Do Good Stuff-a-Thon."  Held at the My Stuff Bags headquarters in Westlake Village, California, more than 150 volunteers came together to fill 5,000 duffel bags with toys, toiletries, handmade blankets and other items that will be distributed to agencies across the United States that rescue abused and neglected children. The My Stuff Bags Foundation will distribute the duffels nationwide to more than 50 organizations such as California's Bienvenidos; Florida's Kids Central, Inc.; and Texas' Lifeline Children and Family Services.

On the "Do Good Stuff" assembly line, Danica McKellar -- actress, The Wonder Years and bestselling author (Math Doesn't Suck); California State Senator Tony Strickland; and California Assembly Member Felipe Fuentes joined representatives of toy and youth entertainment companies and professional organizations such as Educational Insights, Funrise, Jakks Pacific, Mattel, Pacific Play Tents, The Piggy Story, Razor, Spin Master, Warner Brothers, Women in Toys and World of EPI.  Members of the TIF and My Stuff Bags Foundation boards of directors, including MSB board director Michael Reagan, joined in the effort.

"Children who must be rescued from abuse and neglect so often enter shelters with nothing of their own," said Janeen Holmes, president and CEO of My Stuff Bags. "We are so grateful for the generous support of  TIF throughout the year, and for the  toy industry volunteers who join us at our annual Do Good Stuff-a-Thon to  help us make sure that 5,000 rescued children receive a My Stuff Bag during May. Each duffel is filled with much-needed necessities such as toiletries, a blanket, a stuffed animal and especially, great new toys!"

"It warms my heart to know we have made a child's life a little brighter," said Dr. Lisa Williams, CEO, World of EPI. "We are so grateful to TIF and My Stuff Bags Foundation for giving us this opportunity to do what we love -- bring joy and comfort to children who need it most."

In addition to those present, North American toy companies such as Bandai, Hap Palmer, Hasbro, Imperial Toy, Ravensburger, Rose Art and Schoenhut Piano Company also donated items to include in the duffel bags. LeapFrog serves as an event sponsor.

"This is a day when members of the toy industry roll up their sleeves and work together to ensure toys get to kids in need," said Jean Butler, TIF executive director and vice president of membership at the Toy Industry Association.  "We are grateful to all of our volunteers, toy companies and My Stuff Bag partners for  their generous support in helping to spread the joy of play to kids in stressful situations."

The Toy Industry Foundation has provided grant funding of $525,000 and more than 100,000 new toys over three years to My Stuff Bags Foundation; toys are donated via The Toy Bank™, which is generously stocked by toy industry manufacturer contributions throughout the year.

For more information on the Do Good Stuff-a-Thon, visit www.toyindustryfoundation.org.  

About the Toy Industry Foundation  (www.toyindustryfoundation.org)

The Toy Industry Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to bring joy, comfort, and learning to children in need through toys and play. 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. The Foundation currently fulfills its mission through core programs including The Toy Bank™, public education initiatives, and grants to organizations whose missions are in line with that of the Toy Industry Foundation.

About My Stuff Bags Foundation (www.mystuffbags.org)  

My Stuff Bags was launched in 1998 to address some of the immediate physical and emotional needs of children who must be rescued from abuse, neglect and abandonment.  Traumatized by the events leading to their rescue, these children often enter shelters and foster care with no belongings.  Each individual My Stuff duffel bag is filled by volunteers with new donated items, giving children comfort and hope and letting them know that lots of people care about them.  

SOURCE Toy Industry Association