HASBRO AND AREA NONPROFIT LEADERS CELEBRATE SUCCESS OF 2009 HASBRO CHILDREN’S GIVING TREE
December 18, 2009 – With the sights and sounds of CANDY LAND and OPERATION games coming off Hasbro’s game factory presses, Hasbro characters mingling with area school children and Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno on hand, Hasbro representatives and area nonprofit organizations announced the results and celebrated the success of the 2009 Hasbro Children’s Giving Tree program on the floor of Hasbro’s game factory. In all, this season’s Giving Tree program – the 25th anniversary – generated 60,000 toys and games for underprivileged children in the Greater Springfield area, more than 650 pounds of foods for the region’s families in need, and spread 1,500 Acts of Kindness throughout the region. The total amount of toys and games that have reached children in need since the program’s inception in 1984 has exceeded one million. Also, the number of toys and games donated by Hasbro for this season’s program – 60,000 – far exceeds last year’s number of 49,000 due to an increased need communicated by the United Way of Pioneer Valley and The Salvation Army of Springfield.
The Hasbro Children’s Giving Tree program ran from November 24 through December 17 and was based at the Eastfield Mall in Springfield. Through the program, Hasbro toys and games are distributed to underprivileged children in the Greater Springfield area through the United Way of Pioneer Valley and The Salvation Army of Springfield, food is distributed to families in need through Rachel’s Table, and community members carry out ‘Acts of Kindness.’
“We are thrilled by the results of this season’s program and with the impact we are having on children and families in need over the holidays,” said George Burtch, vice president of global integration at Hasbro. “The 25th anniversary of the Hasbro Children’s Giving Tree program happened to fall during a very challenging economic climate. Subsequently, we responded to the request for a significantly increased number of toys and games over last year, to ensure that boys and girls in need in the Greater Springfield area would all have something special this holiday season.’
Burtch added, “We are incredibly pleased with all elements of the 25th annual Giving Tree program. The community’s response through their donations of food and their messages about the Acts of Kindness they’ve performed around the region over the holidays is heartwarming. And, as usual, the organizations that we team with on the Hasbro Children’s Giving Tree program have stepped up tremendously to make it successful. The United Way of Pioneer Valley, The Salvation Army of Springfield and Rachel’s Table have worked hard to ensure that the families most in need this holiday season are the recipients of the toys, games and food generated by the program.”
At today’s celebration, Hasbro shared impact information about the program and recognized the groups and businesses integral to its success. Certificates of appreciation were presented to the United Way of Pioneer Valley, The Salvation Army of Springfield, Rachel’s Table, the Eastfield Mall, Clear Channel Springfield and the Chicopee Armory of the Massachusetts Army National Guard.
In addition, Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno read and presented a proclamation, recognizing the 25th anniversary of the Hasbro Children’s Giving Tree program. Mayor Sarno also thanked those involved for rising to the occasion to help Greater Springfield area residents in need.
"In these challenging economic times, it is the generous gestures such as those exhibited by Hasbro that allow us to continue believing in the human spirit of helping others in need," said Mayor Sarno. “We're very grateful for their corporate spirit of giving.”
From November 24 through December 17, Hasbro asked community members to bring non-perishable food items and messages about their “Acts of Kindness” to the Hasbro Children’s Giving Tree, which was located at the Eastfield Mall. The “Acts of Kindness” messages were displayed on the Giving Tree through the duration of the program, and the food items were donated to Rachel’s Table -- a nonprofit, Springfield-based organization that provides food distribution service to the homeless and hungry. Meanwhile, Hasbro teamed up with the United Way of Pioneer Valley and the Salvation Army of the Greater Springfield Area to identify families who would need help in making the holidays special for their children. During the program, Hasbro toys and games were distributed to these families through the United Way and the Salvation Army.
About Hasbro
Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS) is a worldwide leader in children’s and family leisure time products and services with a rich portfolio of brands and entertainment properties that provides some of the highest quality and most recognizable play and recreational experiences in the world. As a brand-driven, consumer-focused global company, Hasbro brings to market a range of toys, games and licensed products, from traditional to high-tech and digital, under such powerful brand names as TRANSFORMERS, PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, CRANIUM and WIZARDS OF THE COAST. Hasbro’s philanthropic efforts reflect this mission by providing gifts of "hope, play, and a helping hand" through the Hasbro Children’s Fund and other initiatives aimed to help children worldwide. Come see how we inspire play through our brands at www.hasbro.com. (C) 2009 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.