Symantec and Toybank's: Mission Smiles!
As a part of Toybank's 7th Anniversary celebrations Symantec partnered with Toybank and collected 274 toys across its offices in Pune. A few employees from Symantec along with 10 Toybankers set out to distribute this lovely bunch of toys to tiny tots in constructions sites of Wakad, Pune on 24th September 2011. We were able to reach out to 180 kids through Door Step School.
'Door Step School' is an NGO which was started with the aim of addressing literacy amongst the marginalized sections of society and supports education of often forgotten little ones dwelling on pavements, slums, constructions sites and many others. The volunteers were touched by the experience and enjoyed teaching the kids to play games.The children in these centers were thrilled to become owners of the newly gifted toys.
Read along to find out about the experience of our volunteers...
Sushma Joshi from Symantec says:
“Working with Toybank on one of their toy collection and distribution drives was indeed a very satisfying experience. It was amazing to see the dedication, ownership, commitment and passion that these enthusiasts brought to the entire activity. What impressed me was the professional and process oriented approach of the Toybank team that makes it such a seamless experience, for the people partnering with them. Right from the word ‘go’ the instructions, the help, the communication from the team had been so clear, prompt and adequate. There were well articulated guidelines at every step – from collection to wrapping to distribution.
The high point of the entire drive was the distribution which was a soul touching experience. One had to see it to believe how small gestures can bring so much happiness in lives! The anticipation that was writ large on all those little innocent faces when they saw the box filled with wrapped toys and the joy that radiated from their eyes when each one of them opened the gift and discovered a toy! No words can describe those moments. The children were so happy and proud of their new possessions. The strangers who delivered the gifts suddenly became instant friends and the rest was like a fairy tale. The kids jumped, danced, shouted with excitement. I personally enjoyed and treasured all these memories and feel privileged to have got this opportunity to contribute whatever little I could. I think the difference was that the volunteers just don’t go and distribute toys impersonally. They sit with the kids, spend time with them, indulge them in some creative activities – this I think demonstrates the thought of ‘adding joys to the lives of little children’.
Ankita from Door Step: We would like to thank Toybank and its volunteers for the wonderful toys and the efforts to bring smile on the faces of our children. We really appreciated that the toys were in very good condition, safe (no pointed edges or surfaces) and suitable for children. The toy library will be extremely helpful for our teachers to undertake different activities for the young kids and keep them engaged. We look forward to such wonderful activities and association with Toybank in future as well.
Catch the fun here :)
Read along to find out about the experience of our volunteers...
“Working with Toybank on one of their toy collection and distribution drives was indeed a very satisfying experience. It was amazing to see the dedication, ownership, commitment and passion that these enthusiasts brought to the entire activity. What impressed me was the professional and process oriented approach of the Toybank team that makes it such a seamless experience, for the people partnering with them. Right from the word ‘go’ the instructions, the help, the communication from the team had been so clear, prompt and adequate. There were well articulated guidelines at every step – from collection to wrapping to distribution.
The high point of the entire drive was the distribution which was a soul touching experience. One had to see it to believe how small gestures can bring so much happiness in lives! The anticipation that was writ large on all those little innocent faces when they saw the box filled with wrapped toys and the joy that radiated from their eyes when each one of them opened the gift and discovered a toy! No words can describe those moments. The children were so happy and proud of their new possessions. The strangers who delivered the gifts suddenly became instant friends and the rest was like a fairy tale. The kids jumped, danced, shouted with excitement. I personally enjoyed and treasured all these memories and feel privileged to have got this opportunity to contribute whatever little I could. I think the difference was that the volunteers just don’t go and distribute toys impersonally. They sit with the kids, spend time with them, indulge them in some creative activities – this I think demonstrates the thought of ‘adding joys to the lives of little children’.
Ankita from Door Step: We would like to thank Toybank and its volunteers for the wonderful toys and the efforts to bring smile on the faces of our children. We really appreciated that the toys were in very good condition, safe (no pointed edges or surfaces) and suitable for children. The toy library will be extremely helpful for our teachers to undertake different activities for the young kids and keep them engaged. We look forward to such wonderful activities and association with Toybank in future as well.
Catch the fun here :)
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