Marine Toys for Tots Foundation announced today the actions being taken to prevent the distribution of unsafe toys. In response to recent events within the toy industry regarding unsafe toys manufactured in China, and in preparation for the 2007 U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Campaign, Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is taking this opportunity to enlist the assistance of the millions of caring Americans who support the annual Toys for Tots Campaign.
We are asking our loyal supporters to help us by identifying and screening toys prior to purchase to ensure that only safe toys are donated to the Toys for Tots Campaign and distributed to America’s needy children.
The toys identified to date as potentially unsafe can be found at the below listed website links:
Mattel toy recall list: http://www.mattel.com/safety/us/
Detailed SKU’s: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/08/14/fyi/main3166371.shtml
Added 8/23/07: http://children.webmd.com/news/20070823/more-toy-recalls-due-to-lead-paint
Added 9/5/07: http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/manufacturing/2007-09-04-mattel-toy-recall-lead_N.htm
Marine Toys for Tots Foundation does not purchase any toys directly from overseas vendors or manufacturers. All toy purchases are from reputable, well established U.S. companies that are working diligently to ensure that none of the toys identified in the above links are included in Marine Toys for Tots Foundation purchases.
Local Toys for Tots coordinators will be accepting, inspecting, and sorting millions of toys in preparation for distribution during the 2007 Toys for Tots campaign. With the combined efforts of our toy vendors, the watchful eyes of our donors, and the careful inspection by our Toys for Tots coordinators, we will strive to distribute only safe gifts to America’s needy children.