Toy Industry Foundation Reaches $100 Million Milestone Following a Record-Breaking Summer Toy Drive

NEW YORK, Sept. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) announced today that $100 million worth of toys and games have been distributed to children in need since their Toy Bank program was founded in 2003. The historical milestone was reached following this year's record-breaking Summer Toy Drive, which collected $11 million worth of toys. To date, TIF and its supporters have donated enriching playthings to nearly 17 million disadvantaged kids worldwide, providing them with joy, comfort and the many therapeutic benefits of play.

Thanks to the generosity of 45 unique toy companies, contributions to the 2014 Summer Toy Drive more than quadrupled over last year, growing from nearly 900,000 toys donated in 2013 to nearly four million toys in 2014.

About 250,000 toys donated by the LEGO Group during the drive brought the Foundation over the $100 million mark. Half of the LEGO Group's donation, which included various building toys, has already been distributed to children as far away as Albania, Armenia, Romania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

"Many people take toys and play for granted. However, not every child is lucky enough to have a toy to call his or her own," said Jean Butler, Executive Director of TIF. "We are grateful to each company that has provided toys for millions of children who really need our support. Without the enduring dedication of the toy industry to helping disadvantaged children, we would not have been able to reach this historic milestone!"

Families who receive toys throughout the year say that brand-new playthings help soothe children under duress, whether they are ill, impoverished, living in foster care, or on a U.S. military base.

"Since our spouses are deployed so often, many of us go through each day as if we were a single parent," said Laura Wilson, whose husband is an S3 Sergeant Major of 4-1, and whose family received toys at a TIF/BGCA military giveaway in Texas. "All of our children sacrifice a great deal.  When they get these toys, it tells them that someone is thinking about them. That means a lot."

Through its Toy Bank program, TIF works with logistics partner K.I.D.S./Fashion Delivers to deliver toys to a network of children's charities around the world. From stuffed animals and books to board games and outdoor toys, playthings of all kinds are provided to children who are living through many other stressful situations. Through its strategic partnerships with National Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Children and Boys & Girls Clubs of America Military Services, TIF also reaches millions of kids living in foster care and those residing with their families on U.S. military bases, respectively.

ABOUT TOY INDUSTRY FOUNDATION (www.toyindustryfoundation.org)

The Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) is a non-profit organization whose mission it is to bring joy, comfort, and learning to children in need through play.  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. The first industry-wide program of its kind, 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.

SOURCE Toy Industry Foundation