Pacers and Fever Partner with JAKKS Pacific for Record Toy GiveawayClick here to view photos from the event
INDIANAPOLIS (December 15, 2011) – A record-setting total of over 30,000 toys will be donated to more than 30 deserving community organizations and thousands of children by the Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever, in partnership with leading U.S. toy and consumer products company, JAKKS Pacific, Inc. The toys will be distributed this Holiday season throughout Central Indiana by various organizations and volunteer groups through the efforts of Pacers partner UPS. These toys, in addition to the 15,000 toys that were given to members of Indiana National Guard families during this past summer’s “Christmas in July” program, raises the over-all total given to children in 2011 by the Pacers and JAKKS to 45,000 toys.
“My friendship with Stephen Berman has made me come to know that he is a very generous and giving person who cares deeply,” stated Herb Simon, CEO and owner of the Indiana Pacers. “Stephen and JAKKS Pacific have very often stepped up to help us and we are grateful for still another opportunity to make the holidays much brighter for many children in Indiana.”
At the donation tipoff event, Pacers players George Hill and Jeff Foster; Pacers General Manager David Morway; Pacers Head Coach Frank Vogel; PS&E President Jim Morris; Indiana Fever All-Star Tamika Catchings; Fever COO/General Manager Kelly Krauskopf; and Fever Head Coach Lin Dunn along with Boomer and Freddy Fever announced this donation and made the initial presentations to children in attendance. At the end of the presentation, the rest of the toys were loaded via a human “Line of Joy” on to a UPS truck on Conseco Court.
JAKKS Pacific, a leading U.S. toy company, is based in California and has been designing, developing, producing and marketing toys and consumer products for children and adults around the world since 1995. JAKKS Cares is the philanthropic arm of JAKKS Pacific, and since inception, has donated over $50 million in toys, school supplies and monetary endowments to millions of underprivileged children around the world.
“JAKKS is pleased to partner with the Indiana Pacers and Owner Herb Simon to create a magical experience and bring the joy of play to thousands of deserving children in the greater Indianapolis area this holiday season,” stated Stephen Berman, CEO and President of JAKKS Pacific. “We are proud to support the Pacers organization and the vital work they do to make a difference in the lives of underserved children in the community.”
This holiday toy giveaway is part of Pacers Cares and the Indiana Pacers Season of Giving, which includes other holiday events such as Pacers “Come to Our House” Thanksgiving Meal presented by U.S. Foods, Shop with a Pacer presented by Simon Malls and a Pacers Sports & Entertainment Community Service Day, as well as other individual player events. In addition, the giveaway is part of the NBA Cares: Home for the Holidays program.