Ever since Tom’s shoes hit the retail market the concept of buying something to have the same thing given to someone in need has sparked a new interest in giving to people in need. It’s perhaps the easiest way to donate anything, and manufacturers like Tom’s make it super simple. If you’re not familiar with Tom’s, you buy a pair of their trendy shoes at any retail outlet and a pair of shoes is simultaneously donated to someone in need. At first this effort began internationally but recently they’ve also been donating shoes in the United States.
Rich Twilley a Washington DC based FedEx executive has added another title to his name, Chief Donation Officer, of Roughy Toys. He was inspired to create Roughy toys after visiting the slums in Brazil and then playing with his young son. While others make similar trips to slums across the world and feel the need to donate money for food, clothes, and hospitals, Twilley realized that there was something much easier that would help give kids in these situations a better outlook on life… toys.
His company designs a rugged, but lovable toy that’s designed to withstand a life in not so great conditions, while also being fun and lovable to any kid. When someone buys a Roughy toy they get the toy for their kid and the same toy is given to a child in need.
Twilley calls the concept “One 2 One” and his first toy has already been sent to Open Arms Infant Home in Malawi Africa.
That first toy, Alex a stuffed monkey, is made with child safe material and reinforced with diamond stitching, a durable inner shell and extra soft polyester fur.
Twilley has also created an e-book called the Adventures of Alex which highlights the exciting adventures of the stuffed monkey. Naturally the stuffed toy will be what’s delivered to the needy children while the buyers can download the e-book and track Alex’s travels around the world.
“The building blocks of learning start very early and begin with play. Playing with toys stimulates cognitive development and leads to greater success in education and in life. Creativity, imagination, fine motor skills, friendship, and much more all come from playing with toys. Our mission is to provide comfort and play through toys that thrive in the world’s roughest and toughest conditions. ” Twilley wrote on their Indiegogo page.
With a little more than a day to go on the crowdfunding trail they’ve already exceeded their initial goal of $15,000 and hope to get to $25,000 where the company will automatically donate an additional 100 toys.
You can find out more about Roughy here at their Indiegogo page or by watching the video below:
