I grew up within miles of an Ikea, so moving to Maine was a bit of a shock. No flatpack furniture, no cheap but stylish sofa, no awesome kids section, no meatballs! When I had my son back in 2009, a college friend who shared my love of Swedish design sent him one of his first soft toys; a giraffe in a strawberry car from Ikea. Strawberry Giraffe, as he was affectionately called, was soon a staple in our playtime regimen. Sadly he faded out as my son discovered real cars and solid food, but he will always have a place in my heart.
This year, Ikea is once more holding its Soft Toys For Education campaign. Between November 1st and December 24th, about $1.35 from every Ikea soft toy sale will go to Save the Children and UNICEF, to aid their efforts “to help realize every child’s right to a quality education.” One of the things I have always enjoyed about Ikea is that you can spend a dollar, or a couple of hundred dollars, on what it is you want. The same holds true for their soft toy collection: you can spend 49 cents or $19.99. It’s a great place to take a toddler because buying something to keep them quiet (not that I do that, no not me) doesn’t break the bank. It’s also a great way to teach your child about giving. They get a toy and that purchase helps children in other countries. When I was a child my mom and I would routinely go through toys and take them to the children’s ward at the local hospital. Ikea’s campaign gives parents a chance to share that sentiment on a global scale. You don’t even have to live near an Ikea; these toys can be purchased online. Perhaps as a class gift, a toy and a note that says your gift helped a child somewhere in the world.
In 2010 the campaign raised over $15 million. By the end of 2015 it is estimated that Ikea social projects, in conjunction with Save the Children andUNICEF, of which this is one, will have benefited 100 million children.
I remember, when I worked for a company repairing televisions, going out to people`s houses. I went to one house where there had been a fire and the little girl there had lost all her toys. I told my wife and daughter this and straight away, Sarah, for it was she, filled two bags of toys for me to take for the little girl. Charity should start young and be natural. Glad to see, my little Sarah continues to give.
I have no memory of that!