A Christian toy company partners with World Vision to provide Bible-based educational toys to children; meanwhile, other businesses donate clothing, medicine, and other essential items to help children and families in need around the world.

September 2007

Last month, the first shipment of donated items from one2believe arrived at a World Vision distribution center in Denver. Inside the delivery truck were 23 pallets containing 9,000 dolls with a combined value of nearly $160,000. These dolls will be sent to children in communities served by World Vision across the United States.

One2believe, a Christian firm that designs and produces toys used to teach children about the Bible, has joined the growing list of companies partnering with World Vision to provide donated goods to children and families through the Gifts-in-Kind (GIK) program.

Toys That Teach

In the case of one2believe, those donated goods are talking dolls — called Messengers of Faith — representing biblical characters who recite key scriptures at the push of a button. It's an interactive way to educate children about the Bible.

"Our mission is to go out and bring the word of God to children in ways they might not have ever heard it," says Michael LaRoe, director of business development at one2believe. "Working with World Vision can help us to minister to people and reach out to those in need."

The dolls, currently on shelves at Wal-Mart stores and part of an effort to make Christian toys more widely available to children across the country, will be shipped out this month to World Vision sites for distribution at local churches.

Part of a Broader Program

Reaching out to those in need is the impetus behind GIK. One2believe joins the ranks of corporations who donate a wide array of products to World Vision, which distributes them as needed to relief projects and community development programs. They range from medical supplies and educational goods — such as the toys provided by One2believe — to basic personal care items needed when disaster strikes.

For example, within two days of Hurricane Katrina's landfall on the Gulf Coast in 2005, GIK helped provide emergency aid supplies to devastated survivors of the storm — including water containers, clothing, hygiene products, and games for children.

Sometimes, GIK products can make a pivotal difference in the lives of needy children. In some countries, school supplies — items as simple as pens, pencils, paper, and notebooks — can be the determining factor as to whether children receive an education. So can shoes and clothing. In the absence of clean, intact attire, many children in developing countries simply avoid going to school.

During the past two decades, World Vision has procured, processed, and distributed almost $2 billion in donated products, shipping them internationally to nearly 50 countries, and domestically to 2,000 partner agencies and 11 major community development areas.

A Win-Win Relationship

GIK helps World Vision in its mission to serve children and families in need by providing new, top-quality products directly from their sources. But our corporate partners who donate also benefit in various ways, including:

• Eligibility for tax deductions
• Enhanced public image and employee relations
• Use of surplus inventory for a good cause
• Freed storage space

"When GIK is integrated into World Vision's field programs and projects, it contributes toward our mission of serving children and families," says David Derr, senior director of operations for GIK. "It's about more than just the donated items. It's about using these items to help people move forward."