HASBRO’S G.I. JOE BRAND JOINS FORCES WITH
TOYS FOR TOTS AND ACTOR DENNIS QUAID
IN AN IMPORTANT HOLIDAY MISSION
Be a Hero and Help Deliver the Magic of the Holidays to Less Fortunate Children
PAWTUCKET, R.I., November 10, 2009 – Over 14 million children live in poverty in the United States. They need a hero this holiday season and here to answer the call of duty is the G.I. JOE brand from Hasbro (NYSE: HAS).
Hasbro’s G.I. JOE brand, the Marine Toys for Toys Foundation and actor Dennis Quaid are joining forces to help make this holiday season a little brighter for less fortunate children. For every G.I. JOE: The Rise of Cobra toy purchased at stores from November 11 through November 26 (Veteran’s Day through Thanksgiving), Hasbro will donate a new toy (up to 300,000 toys with a minimum $3.99 value) to Toys for Tots.
Actor Dennis Quaid, who plays ‘GENERAL HAWK’ in the 2009 blockbuster film G.I. JOE: The Rise of Cobra, from Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Entertainment, in association with Hasbro, will voice a national radio spot, due to premier on Veteran’s Day, November 11, to help raise awareness for this campaign and the positive impact The U.S. Marines and Toys for Tots make on the lives of children.
“As long time supporters of Toys for Tots, we recognize and applaud the important work the organization does on behalf of economically disadvantaged children nationwide,” said John Frascotti, Hasbro’s Chief Marketing Officer. “In working with Toys for Tots once again this year, they were very clear that new toys for the children they serve would be in greater need than ever during these difficult economic times, and we are pleased to step up and do our part.”
“We know this year will be especially hard on families as many have already started to significantly tighten the purse strings,” said retired Marine Corps Major Bill Grein, USMC (Ret), vice president of marketing and development for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “These families need a hero this holiday season and Hasbro is it. Their generous gift of toys and games will enable us to deliver the magic of the holiday season to many of our nation’s neediest children.”
For more information about how you can help make a difference, please visit www.gijoe.com.
About Hasbro
Hasbro, Inc. 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. Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com.
About The Marine Toys For Tots Foundation
The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is a not for profit organization authorized by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve to provide fundraising and other necessary support for their annual Toys for Tots Program. Now in its 62nd year, Toys for Tots provides hope and happiness to economically disadvantaged children through the gift of a shiny new toy during the Christmas holiday season. Our gifts offer these children recognition, confidence and a positive memory they will cherish for a lifetime. Many of the gifts we provide, such as books, games and sports equipment, make a significant contribution to the educational, social and recreational interests of these children. In 2008, Marines distributed gifts to 7.6 million children in over 650 communities nationwide. The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation relies on individual donations from the American public and is supported by corporate sponsorships. For more information, visit www.toysfortots.org.
ill be MORE than happy to participate. however, hasbro….i need new stuff to buy.
I’m glad to see the companies that can make a difference are doing something but,
“Over 14 million children live in poverty in the United States.”
“Hasbro will donate a new toy (up to 300,000 toys with a minimum $3.99 value)”
Seems like kind of a pat on the head when they really something to eat. Be nice if more companies could do something at least then it might make a bigger difference.
Its nice to see that the big companies are trying to do something but,
“Over 14 million children live in poverty in the United States.”
“Hasbro will donate a new toy (up to 300,000 toys”
Kind of feels like a pat on the head when whats really needed is a good meal. Everything they donate is a tax write off, be nice to see a lot more written off.
Crap double post, didnt think the first one took, Explorer crashed, Sorry
Told the gf about this, and she replied “That’s awesome. And it also gives you a legitimate reason for buying more Joe stuff. But I wouldn’t be surprised if you sneaked more to include in your display case. Oh, I know you.”
Haha.
Also gung.heaux, you could always buy up older 25th figures and sets that are clogging the pegs at your local stores. My TRU still has comic packs and commanding officer 3-packs that any kid would like 🙂
I tell everyone I meet who is in the business of selling, serving or buying toys for kids (or growed ups) about this every chance I get. It is not a pat on the head, it is a little bit of help that is surely appreciated beyond what you can imagine. My daughter and other kids benefited from a promotion for kids with life threatening illness sponsored by Hasbro and it really made them feel special. Sure it was only one toy, not bigger than a board game, but it was the magic and the delivery through a visit from Santa in a special ceremony for them that made them FEEL like people care even when these kids feel the worst. Hasbro is a big company that has to pay it’s people who come up with fantastic ideas how to better serve their core customers; kids. The fact that their budget people could do an additional promotion of $300,000 just for kids is awesome, and not all they do. Hasbro works with many groups and charities and the kids get to KNOW that feeling of care, hope and love through something as simple as a gift. Kids need us all to make a difference, and Hasbro is only half the battle.
As a retired veteran I have seen kids in need in the U.S. and abroad. I will be more than happy to buy and then donate what I buy to Toys for Tots. I also still store my kids old G I Joes (25 + years), sorry can’t part withthose. Thanks to Hasbro.
I heard Dennis Quaid’s radio commercial for this recently…never thought I would hear the “knowing is half the battle…” line on the radio. Good stuff.