Now that Safari Ltd.® has signed onto the final TDmonthly's "2012: A Year of Charity" giveaway, we have two returning companies – the other is Schoenhut Piano Company (both took part in this year's first giveaway and Schoenhut did something similar in 2010). Newly participating companies whose generosity will be felt by specialty toy store owners and their local children's charities are Douglas Cuddle Company and Moonjar.
Winning toy-store owners Tim and Cynthia Holliday of Children's World in Sarasota, Fla., and Brett and Susan Sommer of Figpickels Toy Emporium are ecstatic about having won the contest to give the toys to their communities' schools and charities. Adding to their excitement was the encouraging Black Friday weekend they had.
Store Filled to Capacity
"We definitely set a record this weekend – we're not talking a little, we're talking enormous," Brett told TDmonthly with tremendous excitement. "Three days from the minute we opened to the minute we closed, we were packed. We couldn't get them out of the store! Fortunately, we had moved into a much larger space. We couldn't have fit a fraction of the people in our previous space."
In Sarasota, shoppers usually delegate Black Friday for big-box shopping, said Tim, but his store, too, had very strong sales on Saturday. Both retailers are optimistic for the rest of 4th quarter and are hoping that the giveaway promotions not only help kids in their area, but give a publicity boost to their stores.
Cameras Are Waiting
"All the TV stations are coming into our store and filming," Brett reported about the events he'd held lately. Local station KXLY is standing by to here when the donated toys arrive so they can send their reporters to the scene.
Brett and Susan have planned an extra-special giveaway event. At three local hospitals, including Providence in Spokane and Kootnai Medical Center in their own town, have approximately 250 kids who aren't well enough to leave the premises.
"We are going to set up a 'store' for them in a special room, so they pick what they want themselves," Brett told TDmonthly. He's also been encouraging the vendors he deals with to sign up and give away even more toys.
"We're very excited to get into this and be able to go and play Santa," said Tim. "I think will be lots of fun and the organizations we're going to work with will be absolutely thrilled. So we're all excited to get it going."
We will check back with the retailers next month to find out how their giveaways went. In the meantime, here are the wonderful toys and instruments the kids in their local schools and charities will receive:
Schoenhut's miniature version of a baby grand piano is designed to encourage a child to play and develop a love of music. Elegant in appearance with graceful spindle legs, yet extremely durable and sturdy, it makes a beautiful addition to any home. Lovely chime-like tones are produced by small hammers striking metal rods, the sound that makes Schoenhut toy pianos unique. The two-and one-half-octave span of full-width keys provides a good foundation for the transition to a larger model. Includes: Schoenhut's Learning System and bench. Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval
In celebration of our tenth anniversary, Moonjar has created a brand new Moneybox with a global twist. Each metallic section is wrapped in the words, "Save, Spend and Share" in languages from around the world. The boxes are gold, silver and copper colors to appeal to the tween set as well as their parents.
Little rock star swill take center stage playing Schoenhut's “next generation” guitar. Schoenhut's innovative design incorporating a molded composite body with dual curves greatly enhances sound and durability. The birch soundboard which offers excellent tone and resonance, hardwood neck (for rigidity), and molded composite fretboard ensure proper height and spacing of the frets. Six steel strings permit a wide range of rich sounds. Available in several vibrant designs. Includes: Pick and Extra String.
This "to-go" box is one of our Conversation to Go options – there are three total. This box is filled with 100 unique conversation starters about Vacation and travel. It’s not about where you have been, it’s about where you are going with this conversation game. It will bring you to places you never dreamed of.
Twinkle Tunes features a 1-octave (8-note) keyboard that electronically produces lovely piano sounds, enhanced with a beautifully illustrated interchangeable songbook containing a collection of 12 familiar tunes. This instrument, designed for the child who has no previous piano study, is paired with Schoenhut’s patented Tri-Play Learning System. Easily portable for young children, this unique toy provides hours of musical fun. Battery included. Additional books sold separately.
Schoenhut's Thumb Pianos are sure to be a hit with the young set. These percussion instruments, also known as Marimbas, emit warm, resonant tones by striking the ends of the tines with your thumbs. Simple tunes are easily tapped out, with unlimited possibilities for creating complex melodies. The new design incorporates a durable molded composite back, resulting in enhanced sound and durability. Easily portable and fun to play, a Schoenhut Thumb Piano is the perfect choice for encouraging children to enjoy music. Available in several vibrant designs.
Our keepers are more than just "cleaner-uppers". They show nurturing in action. Each replica is finely hand painted and accurate down to the last detail. Educational information in five languages is included with each replica. All our products are phthalate-free and thoroughly safety tested to safeguard your child's health. Safari Ltd.® takes pride in providing breathtaking, innovative and value priced figures for now over three generations. Featured is our Safari Ltd.® People Joe & Aussie Zookeeper.
Extra large, soft, playful, true-to-life vinyl replicas of some of the most amazing creatures in the world. Excellent learning tool to introduce young children to our delicate and often endangered inhabitants of our planet. A fun way to spark the innate curiosity of a child. Each replica is finely hand painted and accurate down to the last detail. Educational information in five languages is included with each replica. All our products are phthalate-free and thoroughly safety tested to safeguard children's health.
Our action packed swashbucklers will delight the imagination of any young matey. Sculpted by a leading American character sculptor, our pirates are so life-like that they will transport kids back to the days of pirate ships and sunken treasures.
Writer's Bio: ALISON MAREK is an award-winning writer, director and cartoonist whose work has been published by Fairchild Publications and DC Comics (Piranha Press), broadcast on Showtime and other cable networks, and viewed worldwide in film festivals. See her short films and print work on www.alisonmarek.com. Watch her nefarious villains in the web series www.MuggsMovers.com. Get inspired by her cartoons "Daily ARFFirmations to Unleash Your Inner Fido" at www.ARFFirmations.com. Phew! And then ... Read more articles by this author
Writer's Bio: ALISON MAREK is an award-winning writer, director and cartoonist whose work has been published by Fairchild Publications and DC Comics (Piranha Press), broadcast on Showtime and other cable networks, and viewed worldwide in film festivals. See her short films and print work on www.alisonmarek.com. Watch her nefarious villains in the web series www.MuggsMovers.com. Get inspired by her cartoons "Daily ARFFirmations to Unleash Your Inner Fido" at www.ARFFirmations.com. Phew! And then ... 
