The Toy Bank Is Officially Open for ... Play!

    NEW YORK, Oct. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- To remedy the harsh reality that there
 are thousands of children unable to own their own toy, The Toy Bank has been
 launched by the Toy Industry Foundation (TIF(TM)) and its partner, Gifts In
 Kind International (GIKI), and supported by the North American toy industry.
 The year-round program allows charities serving underprivileged and at-risk
 children to have access to newly manufactured toys.  At a special ceremony
 that took place at the close of the Toy Industry Association & Toy Wishes
 Holiday Preview, the official kickoff announcement for the hot new toys for
 the upcoming holiday season, children representing The Children's Health Fund,
 a provider of free health care services to tens of thousands of poor and
 low-income children across the country, were among the first recipients to
 receive a donation from The Toy Bank during a special ceremony.
     "We are proud to open the virtual doors of The Toy Bank, which is the
 first industry-sponsored, product philanthropy program created to serve
 thousands of disadvantaged children who may not have the opportunity to own a
 new toy.  By the end of this year we will present more than
 250,000 toys to boys and girls throughout North America, in hopes of bringing
 more joy and fun during their holiday season," said Patrick Feely, TIF
 chairman and president and chief executive officer of Radica Games Ltd.
     "We are very excited about our partnership with the Toy Industry
 Foundation," said Susan Corrigan, president and chief executive officer of
 Gifts In Kind International. "Over the next three years we are striving to
 bring a million toys to a million underprivileged, homeless and at-risk
 children who often lack the simple playthings that can make childhood and
 adolescence so memorable."
     "Toys are an important tool for the healthy development of children, but
 unfortunately most children living in poverty do not have access to toys,"
 said Alan Shapiro, M.D., medical director for The Children's Health Fund's New
 York Programs. "The toy industry's effort to more widely distribute these toys
 and games via The Toy Bank should be applauded. Our patients from the South
 Bronx Health Center for Children and Families are extremely excited about
 attending this event," he added.
     Every child deserves the right to imagine, dream, invent and have fun
 through toys and play.  Through The Toy Bank program, charities serving
 underprivileged and at-risk children can obtain newly manufactured toys, and
 manufacturers, retailers and distributors of toys can reach needy children all
 around the world.  For organizations interested in signing up to receive toys,
 or those companies interested in donating toys, an easy-to-use online system
 is available at:  www.thetoybank.org.
 
     About the Toy Industry Foundation
     In 2000, the Toy Industry Foundation (TIF(TM)) refocused its philanthropic
 efforts, recognizing its unique position to galvanize and leverage industry
 resources to make a difference in the lives of children in need. After further
 review, the TIF Board committed to support children who are homeless
 throughout America. By contributing its funds to programs such as The Power of
 Play and The Toy Bank, the industry is working to achieve its mission to bring
 joy, happiness and comfort to children through the experience of toys and
 play. For more information about the TIF, visit www.toy-tia.org -- click on
 Toy Industry Foundation.
 
     About Gifts In Kind International
     Gifts In Kind International (GIKI) is the world's leading charity in
 product philanthropy and the eighth largest charity in the United States.
 Leading manufacturers and retailers of all sizes rely on them to design and
 manage the donation process. Its network of 400-plus Gifts In Kind(R)
 affiliates provides non-profits access to millions of dollars annually in
 product and service donations, including nearly $800 million in 2002.  For
 more information about GIKI, visit:  http://www.giftsinkind.org/.
 
     About The Children's Health Fund
     The Children's Health Fund, founded in 1987, works to provide medical care
 to the nation's most medically underserved population - homeless and
 disadvantaged children. To date, The Children's Health Fund's national network
 of 16 pediatric programs has treated more than 300,000 children. More
 information can be found at The Children's Health Fund website at
 www.childrenshealthfund.org.
 
 

SOURCE  Toy Industry Foundation