IKEA Soft Toy Aid 2012

The global IKEA Soft Toy Aid holiday campaign has begun. Through 29 December, for each soft toy (or children's book) purchased, the IKEA Foundation donates $1.00 (or 1 Euro equivalent) to UNICEF & Save the Children. 

We'll post updates & reminders throughout the season, but if you're shopping this weekend, please keep this campaign in mind. And to double your donation, think about dropping an IKEA soft toy off to Toys for Tots or another local toy campaign drive in your town or country. 

Here is the charming Soft Toy Aid video to brighten your day.

ciao-meow/xoxo

(photograph via IKEA)

For the Children of Syria

The war in Syria is taking a severe toll on women & children (as always). Elisabeth Dunker of Fine Little Day is raising funds for Save the Children with the sale of three of her sweet posters. Nordic Design Collective's Tovelisa is doing the same. Please visit Fine Little Day for details.

xo/GG

(Magic by Hanna Konola via Fine Little Day)

Adopt a Circus, Put on a Show

People, it is wild here lately. Giulia is up to all sorts of nonsense; this is a huge relief because she's been ill for a week. Signs of feeling better? She's eating breakfast + dinner + snacks + getting into trouble.

So from our circus to yours: please remember IKEA's Soft Toy Aid Campaign to benefit Save the Children & UNICEF. Many of you will not be near an IKEA this holiday season but the website has finally put a few of the soft toys available for purchase online, here.

ciao-frenzied-meow/GGCM

(photograph via IKEA)

IKEA Soft Toy Aid 2011

A favorite holiday ritual has begun: the IKEA Soft Toy Aid campaign launched November 1st & runs through December 24th. As always, IKEA donates $1.00 (or 1 euro) for each soft toy purchased to Save the Children & UNICEF. This year, IKEA launched the U.S. campaign by donating thousands of much-needed cuddlies to Toys for Tots, another favorite organization. You could echo this by purchasing an inexpensive toy (or more) & then donating it to Toys for Tots. They've had a very difficult time the last 3 years & this year is unfortunately more-of-the-same.
 

Visit here for the Wembley (UK) store (or go to your nearest by changing the city); they are double-duty giving as well. We'll post more information throughout the campaign & do a round-up of what's going on in Canada, Europe & Australia. As far as we know, every IKEA store, in every country is involved in the campaign.
 

Suddenly, we're excited for the holidays. Giulia's pink ears perked up when she heard the IKEA video song. It's adorable, do watch!
 

ciao-merry-meow/GG Central
 

(Bjorn Bear via IKEA)

'Twas the Saturday Before Christmas

...& you're going to IKEA. (Yes, you are. Admit it.) Why don't you pick up at least one soft toy & help UNICEF & Save the Children? Please remember the Soft Toy Aid campaign. The need is great, the prices on the IKEA soft toys is very low. (Their cuteness is indisputable, just like Giulia's.) As we've suggested before, even if you don't need any little-person toys this year, Toys for Tots (& gift collection campaigns in other countries) is in great need. (image via IKEA.com)

ciao-meow/GGCM

Side With the World's Children - Week's End

Join GG in the Soft Toy Movement for every child's right to education. Please go to your country's IKEA website & click on Soft Toy campaign at the bottom of the homepage. There you will find all the information you need to pass the word on. It has downloadable wallpapers, a coloring book, a banner for blogs & Facebook pages, & videos.

This year, from November 1–December 24, for every soft toy sold, 1 euro (USD $1.35) will go to IKEA global partners UNICEF and Save the Children to extend and start new children's educational programs in 22 countries.

Pick up an inexpensive soft toy at IKEA & put it in a holiday gift donation basket if you don't need it. Giulia is holding a meow-in this very moment because she wants a soft toy this year. The spring has gone out of Celeste the IKEA Pig's curly tail. We'll see about an addition but Celeste the IKEA Pig (her full name) is not going anywhere...there's a familiar orange & white pink-nosed feline draped over her every day. (images via IKEA website)

ciao-merry-meow/The Management

IKEA Launches Annual Soft Toy Campaign - 2010

Ta da! Oh. We're five days late...eep. If you're planning a trip to IKEA, pick up a soft toy. If you don't need one, donate it to Toys for Tots or another toy-collection campaign. This year, from November 1–December 24, for every soft toy sold, 1 euro (USD $1.35) will go to IKEA global partners UNICEF and Save the Children to extend and start new children's educational programs in 22 countries. The 2010 campaign goal is to raise over $13 million dollars globally, with $1 million being raised in the U.S.

You can count on us to remind you every so often & about the specials upcoming in December, as well. But if you happen to be going to IKEA tomorrow (or today, if you're up too late in Europe--go to bed!), any purchase, however tiny, goes to the campaign. Don't forget about Darfur Peace & Development baskets (either seconds or firsts) & Made4Aid's Etsy shop. (image of Klapper animal set & Klapper elephant mama & baby via IKEA US website)

ciao-wow-meow/GGCM

Adopt a Lion - Week's End

Adopt a cute lion at IKEA & help UNICEF & Save the Children. There's a new Facebook Fan page for the IKEA Soft Toys Aid 2009 campaign. Or you can read about the Adopt an African Lion program at the National Zoo. Either way (or both), you will be helping out worthy causes. And have fun. What more do you want, really? (You are so difficult to please, some of you cranky pusses!)

Please remember Toys for Tots, too. Here is the video of First Lady Michelle Obama's remarks at the White House for the beginning of the holiday season. She announces the participation of the White House staff in this year's campaign. It's all good.

a ciao-snowy-meow from Washington, DC

[image via IKEA.com]

IKEA's Soft Toy Aid 2009 Begins

For every soft toy you purchase from now until December 24, 2009, $1 will be donated to UNICEF and Save the Children. (See here for other countries' currency donations.) This year's campaign tag line is $1 is a Fortune. And so it is. This year, the soft toys got together & made a darling video. There's an interactive website for us regular people to join in, here. We will be featuring the soft animals as we did last year. They are so cute & very inexpensive.

At the moment, GG is asleep beside ancient Celeste the IKEA Pig (her full name). We just might keep one of the toys this year for GG, too.

[GG Central collage made from IKEA images/2008 archives]

Adopt an IKEA giraffe & help a child

It's the last day of IKEA's soft animal toy campaign to raise funds for Save the Children & UNICEF. Please go here for all the details. We love this darling giraffe. There's a zoo's worth of sweet animals to choose from...please help. IKEA can be fun at the last minute, too. (It is!)

Merry ciao-meow!
GG's Santa

Miss Mouse at IKEA

As it's the last shopping weekend before Christmas, another reminder about IKEA's soft animal toy campaign (through 24 December 2008). A significant donation goes to Save the Children & UNICEF for each toy sold. The campaign is ongoing in Canada, the States, & the UK. This adorable mouse is one of many ready to go home with you (or, to double your donation, to a toys campaign, such as Toys for Tots). Look at that adorable face...how can you not adopt her?

Even GG would leave this mouse alone...we hope.

bisou!

A polka-dotted Christmas camel

...from IKEA is just the thing for the holiday blues. Bringing home this little guy will ensure that $1.00 (US & Canadian, 1 British pound) goes to Save the Children & to UNICEF. The campaign goes through Christmas Eve. There's a whole zoo of goofy adorable creatures available for immediate adoption. Prices are as low as 49 cents. Can't beat it with a stick (ouch)!

xoxo,
GG's Santa

Snagglepuss

A reminder of the ongoing IKEA soft animal campaign to raise funds for UNICEF & Save the Children. In the States & Canada, $1.00 for each toy is donated equally between both organizations. In the UK, it's £1 per animal.

We love this rucksack-wearing crocodile. When GG is asleep, one little snaggle pops out. (It's so cute it should be illegal.) Today we look forward to a visit from some French friends & GG will be in her element.Perhaps an IKEA visit is in our future today. If so, then Fabler Krokodil will be coming home with us. IKEA's two series of children's accessories, along with the soft animals, are: 1) Fabler and Barnslig. At least one animal (there are some for 49 cents) is affordable for most people. Here is a link to IKEA Fans blog (yep!) with a post on the campaign.

Also remember in the States, the Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaign. The IKEA animals are a perfect donation. (No, we don't work for IKEA.) Donations across the board, from food to toys are down everywhere. We know it's rough; GG Central is between contracts. We know. But surely 49 cents for a toy or a dollar to buy a non-perishable food donation is possible?

Have a great Monday.

ciao-meow,
GG's editor

IKEA's Soft Animal Toy Campaign 2008

Check out the adorable collection of IKEA stuffed animals here. The annual campaign (through 24 December) contributes $1.00 for every soft animal purchased to UNICEF & Save the Children. [The campaign is ongoing in the UK & Europe, as well.] GG sleeps every day next to Celeste the IKEA Pig...a nearly-20 year old tiny pink pig who is none the worse for wear. Celeste still has a (little) spring in her tail so these cute animals survive a long, long time & appeal to everyone (including cats). The prices are low & it's definitely a good deal for everyone involved. Happy hunting!

bisou!
GG's editor