industry news orphans, armed forces, and hospitals. Each humanitarian kit costs only $25-$33.
By May 5, The Toy Foundation and the global play community had raised more than $3.8 million in monetary and product donations. They are being distributed to local Ukrainian and international nonprofit organizations to support their ongoing humanitarian efforts for Ukrainian refugees. The foundation is supporting KIDDISVIT, a 24-year-old Ukrainian toy company that immediately shifted its business into a volunteer organization to help thousands of children and families who left their homes for a safer place. The resources available are decreasing as the need for support is rising, said The Toy Foundation, as KIDDISVIT quickly and effectively supports refugees within Ukraine in these ways. Hosting 300 people per day in two shelters located in Dnipro and Voloske Since the war, its team has hosted more than 1,600 people who receive sleeping accommodations, sanitary facilities, hot meals, humanitarian aid, medical supplies, toys, and diapers. Evacuating at least 5,000 refugees to safer areas Thousands of children, women, senior citizens, and those with disabilities are being transported by KIDDISVIT to safe and secure areas. Delivering 7 tons of humanitarian aid to restive regions In Dnipro, the team is purchasing essential items including food, hygiene products, diapers and formula, to support local business. Then, they’re delivering it to families,
Assembling & distributing 3,000+ food and hygienic kits for families The kits last for two weeks. The Toy Foundation is continuing to collect monetary and product donations for Ukrainian children and families. For members of the play community interested in making a contribution, visit thetoyfoundation. org, or reach out directly to Executive Director Pamela Mastrota or Director of Development John Fistolera. In April, the experiential toy store Camp opened its first location on the West Coast, in Los Angeles. It is Camp’s ninth store. In a press release, Camp Founder and Chief Executive Ben Kaufman said that Los Angeles had been at the top of his wish list for several years. The former chief marketing officer at BuzzFeed and his wife Nikki opened their first store in 2018, in New York’s Flatiron District. Since then, Camp stores have opened in New Jersey, Massachusetts, Texas, Connecticut and now California. Camp’s space in the Westfield Century City outdoor mall is 7,000 square feet, “much of it behind a magic door that can only be accessed by a child, caregiver or other free spirit performing a special move to get it to open,” reported Spectrum News 1. “Much like the traditional toy store that leads to it, the hidden experiential space is also a place to shop.” Camp offers craft classes, magic shows and musical performances performed by staff. Many of the activities are free, but some require a fee. In the spin art and slime room, for instance, kids can make their own slime with a kit that costs $20.
has announced the launch of WiT Wellness, a year-round initiative designed to raise awareness and mobilize conversations around mental health and well-being, and inspire individuals and companies to incorporate mental wellness into their daily lives. The overall goal of WiT Wellness is to share the tools and resources women and their allies need to manage and maintain wellbeing and good mental health. Additionally, WiT will host ongoing constructive conversations focused on helping to diffuse the stigma around mental health. Studies show that women are twice as likely as men to experience depression, generalized anxiety disorder and PTSD. They are also much more likely to battle eating disorders. This discrepancy may be caused by various factors, such as pay inequity, gender-based violence, and having more caregiving responsibilities. Challenges are further amplified in the workplace, where women, and especially women of color and those in the LGBTQ+ community, are confronted with sexual harassment, imposter syndrome, and more. In May, Mental Health Month, WiT offered a variety of wellness events that ranged from discussions and roundtables to WiT’s Instagram Stories – digital content created in partnership with lifestyle brand CupOfTherapy. CupOfTherapy focuses on sharing mental wellbeing resources through emotive illustrations and thoughtful text. WiT’s focus on mental health and wellbeing directly aligns with the organization’s mission to help advance women through leadership, opportunity, connection, and education. Along with its topic-
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