Dec. 14, 2010 | Photos
A record-setting total of 30,000 toys will be donated to underserved and challenged children by the Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever, in partnership with leading U.S. toy and consumer products company, JAKKS Pacific, and supported by the Indianapolis Star. The toys will be distributed during this Holiday season through 16 organizations in the Indianapolis area.
“My friendship with Stephen Berman has made me come to know that he is a generous and giving person who cares deeply,” stated Herb Simon, CEO and owner of the Indiana Pacers. “We are so grateful to Stephen and JAKKS Pacific for this opportunity to make the holidays much brighter for many kids.”
At the donation tipoff event, Jim Morris, President of Pacers Sports & Entertainment, along with Pacers players Jeff Foster and Roy Hibbert, Tamika Catchings from the Indiana Fever, 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 on to UPS trucks lining Pennsylvania Street outside of the Fieldhouse. Also assisting with the delivery of the toys to the community organizations is U.S. Foodservice.
The 16 organizations receiving toys are: Dayspring Center, Christamore House, Community Hospital, Hawthorne Community Center, Indianapolis Fire Department, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Julian Center, Marion County Sheriff’s Department, Methodist Children’s Hospital, Peyton Manning Children's Hospital at St.Vincent, Riley Children’s Hospital, Salvation Army ARC, Sheltering Wings, St. Francis Hospital, Shepherd Community Center and Toys for Tots/ US Marines.
JAKKS Pacific, one of the top five United States toy companies, is a California-based company that 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 $40 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 bring joy to deserving children in the greater Indianapolis area this holiday season,” stated Stephen Berman, CEO of JAKKS Pacific. “We are proud to support the Pacers organization and the vital work they do in the community.”
This holiday toy donation is a new part of Pacers Cares and the Indiana Pacers Season of Giving, which includes other holiday events such as Pacers Thanksgiving Dinner presented by U.S. Foodservice, Shop with a Pacer presented by Simon, the annual Holiday Hospital Visits and a Pacers Sports & Entertainment Community Service Day, as well as other individual player events.