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In celebration of the various anniversaries and birthdays of some of the top toy brands in the world, the Toy Industry Foundation has launched several benefit auctions to support children in need.  These auctions will be sold through eBay at givingworks.ebay.com (search for Toy Industry Foundation).  In celebration of G.I. Joe’s 45th Anniversary, an exclusive golf bag and movie poster signed by the director, producer, and cast of G.I. Joe: The Rise of COBRA.

For the full Press Release, click the “Read the rest of this entry” link below.  Let’s step up, G.I. Joe fans, this is for a great cause!

Collectors Clamor for Classic Toys in “Birthday Bids” Auction to Benefit Toy Industry Foundation

eBay sale of limited edition collectibles help children in need while celebrating anniversaries of
Barbie, G.I. Joe, SpongeBob SquarePants and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

New York, NY | September 23, 2009 – The Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) announced today the launch of a new online charity auction to benefit children at-risk, abused, abandoned, ill or otherwise in need. Several exclusive character-based items will be sold through eBay at givingworks.ebay.com.

Search: Toy Industry Foundation.
Beginning on Wednesday, September 23 at 12 p.m. (EST) and closing Wednesday, September 30 at 5 p.m. (EST), the auction will feature exclusive character-based toys and collector items celebrating signature anniversaries for Barbie, G.I. Joe, SpongeBob Square Pants, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  Each of the characters is celebrating a milestone anniversary in 2009:

  • Barbie
    Collectors can bid on five custom dolls – each from a limited edition line of 1,000 produced for the icon’s 50th birthday and this year’s national convention – including Voyage in Vintage, the Tribute Gift Set, the Auburn Ponytail Gift Set and the 50th Anniversary Silkstone Barbie.

  • G.I. Joe
    An exclusive leather golf bag and movie poster signed by the producer, director and cast of the blockbuster G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra are being auctioned in honor of the “granddaddy of all action figures” turning 45 in 2009.
  • SpongeBob SquarePants
    The most well-known resident of Bikini Bottom turns 10 this year, and two of the limited-edition gold SpongeBob plush toys produced for the occasion are available for bidding. 
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
    A set of hand-painted limited-edition cold cast statues of the four action heroes – along with a certificate of authenticity signed by the creator – help “shell-ebrate” 25 years of “Turtle Power.”

“The Toy Industry Foundation is very grateful to Mattel, Hasbro, Nickelodeon and Playmates for their donation of these collectible items,” said Jean Butler, TIF Executive Director.  “We hope people will bid generously so the Foundation can make play possible for deserving children around the world.”

The auction is the latest in a series of initiatives to promote individual giving in support of the Foundation’s philanthropic activities.  100% of proceeds will benefit TIF programs such as The Toy Bank™ which provides “millions of toys for millions of kids” through donations of newly manufactured toys to charities supporting underserved, homeless and at-risk kids.

About the Toy Industry Foundation (www.toyindustryfoundation.org)

The Toy Industry Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to bring joy, comfort, and learning to children in need through toys and play. While other organizations provide food, shelter and support services to children and their families, TIF sees to it that these children have toys and opportunities to play in an attempt to restore both fun and a sense of normalcy to their lives. The Foundation currently fulfills its mission through core programs including The Toy Bank™, public education initiatives, and grants to organizations whose missions are in line with that of the Toy Industry Foundation.