I love hearing stories about how others are doing good, and when it comes to the world of play, there’s little better than hearing about the creative ways that toymakers are giving back. I wrote a little bit about that in one of my recent columns over at The Toy Insider, and today I’ve got another story to share – this one from a true American icon: Radio Flyer. Their iconic little red wagon has brought joy to millions of children over the last 100 years, and as they point out, those “wagons have been used to carry stuffed animals, toys, books, friends and more for countless hours of playtime” But they’ve also been used by children and adults alike to lift the spirits of others – and Radio Flyer is celebrating these acts of kindness in honor of National Little Red Wagon Day. With their new “Wagons for Good” sweepstakes, you could even receive a donation of 100 wagons to be given to the organization of your choice!
Roger Leggett’s granddaughter Felicity was diagnosed with a brain tumor at the age of four. During visits to see her, Roger and his son Chad discovered that many pediatric patients were transported in Radio Flyer wagons, with their IV poles trailing behind the wagon. They knew there had to be an easier and safer way to affix the IV pole to the wagon, and when Chad tragically passed away, Roger honored Chad’s legacy by creating Chad’s Bracket To this day, Chad’s Bracket (pictured top) continues to help families and make a difference in people’s lives.
Makenna Breading-Goodrich began collecting coats at the age of nine. She knocked on doors in her neighborhood piling donations in her little red wagon, and wheeled the coats to a local homeless shelter each week. Five years later, Phoenix homeless shelters have received more than 1,000 coats thanks to Makenna’s Coats for a Cause.
There are thousands more people like Makenna and Roger who have used wagons to make a positive impact. Radio Flyer wants to hear your stories and celebrate these acts of kindness. Enter the ‘Wagons for Good‘ sweepstakes and share your story. The winner will receive a donation of 100 wagons to the organization of your choice.
The sweepstakes will accept entries through April 18, 2018. The winner will be announced on April 25.
Radio Flyer is dedicated to giving back to the community and helping those in need. The brand has donated more than 13,000 wagons to the Starlight Children’s Foundation over the years, planted one tree for every toy purchased on radioflyer.com with the Arbor Foundation and built eight playgrounds around Radio Flyer’s hometown in Chicago with KaBOOM!
