Keep good toys from getting dumped AND help local autistic children.
Children's furniture and toy shop in Bloomington, MN accepting toy donations throughout May and beyond. Specific products will be delivered to families affected by autism, many in the Somali immigrant community.

BLOOMINGTON, MN, May 20, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Recycling is not just limited to items made of plastic, paper, and glass. Thousands of products, including toys, are thrown out every year that are still valuable to many people. This past Earth Day, families were encouraged to donate their gently used and new toys to be "recycled" to families in need. Most notably, going to families affected by autism, a growing segment of the population particularly in our immigrant Somali community. The event was coordinated by the staff at Totally Kids fun furniture & toys in Bloomington, and the toys were donated to the locally headquartered non-profit organization Parents United Against Autism (PAA). Due to a high volume of donations, the event is being extended through the entire month of May and potentially further.

The drive is intended to give families an outlet to recycle toys that their children no longer use without having to throw them away. Certain toys designated to be specifically beneficial were delivered to families that have children with autism. By raising awareness of the disorder and its growing numbers in the community and providing the families with toys that can help the children immediately, Totally Kids and PAA hope to make a lasting impact on a personal level as well as a community level, both benefitting people and our environment.

"We've been noticing for a while now that families, including those in the Somali community, have been coming to our store seeking out certain toys for their Autistic children" says Annie Seberson, Totally Kids Community Development Coordinator "We have decided to take our involvement in helping these families in a more pointed direction and provide more products that they can benefit from, as well as reaching out to the community organizations that can offer help directly".

When asked about the needs for Autistic children in the Somali immigrant community, PAA Representative Abdulkadir Khalif, remarked, "These children need all forms of support: doctors with experience in autism therapies willing to volunteer their time, laboratories that could help with testing and analysis, donations of medicines, and many other tangible items and services that are proven to assist in the children's development. Totally Kids is providing a valuable part of a child's natural development in the toys they play with every day that can specifically help them with motor and communication skills." Examples of items that prove to be helpful include: puzzles, books, rocking horses, bean bag chairs, and many other common items. For a complete list of items and any other questions, call (952) 881-2425.


What: Toy Recycling to Benefit Autism
When: May 1st - 31st
Where Totally Kids fun furniture and toys 7876 Portland Ave. S. Bloomington, MN 55420
Why: To benefit the environment and families affected by autism.

Press Release Contact Information:

Jesse Dumas
Totally Kids
Marketing Director
7876 Portland Ave.
Bloomington, MN
USA 55420
Voice: 9528812425
Fax: 9528816467
Website: Visit Our Website