Blain’s Farm and Fleet: Matches community toy donations up to $200,000 with their Kids Helping Kids program

Media Contact: Gayla Kirshner
Phone: (713) 721-4774
Email: gayla@gcomworks.com

Janesville, Wis. December 1, 2015 – Blain’s Farm and Fleet is proud to reintroduce their Kids Helping Kids program, ensuring kids in local communities have a very Merry Christmas. Over the past 49 years, Toyland has been a tradition for many Midwest families, offering quality toys, games and activities at competitive prices. Now families and their children have the opportunity to donate a toy to those less fortunate this holiday season.

“Toyland isn’t just about the excitement of shopping for the children in your life,” says Jolene Schindler, store manager of the LaCrosse, Wisconsin store. “The Kids Helping Kids program is what really gets people in the spirit for the season of giving.”

Customers can donate new, unwrapped toys to any of the 36 store locations and the Blain’s family will match up to $200,000 in toys across the communities they serve. Place the donations in the Kids Helping Kids bin near the exit door to help give a Merry Christmas to kids in your own communities who may not have a present under the tree this year.

“It is such a great feeling to be involved in something so meaningful,” says Kristin Mickelson, Special Events Coordinator for Blain’s Farm and Fleet. “There is something so special about watching kids shop for someone they don’t even know but also understand that may be the only gift that child receives this holiday. Knowing that the toys donated are going right back into the communities we serve and live in, makes it even more special.”

Blain’s Farm and Fleet hopes families will want to take advantage of this opportunity to show their children the real meaning of Christmas. Children can shop Toyland with mom and dad, choose their favorite toys and set one aside that they want to donate. Allowing them to choose a toy to place in the bin themselves may seem like a simple act, but it will instill meaning that lasts a lifetime.

Co-Founder of Blain’s Farm and Fleet, Bert Blain was known for saying ‘selling toys was a good way to make friends, not money’. Not only that, but that the holiday season should be about family. Bert’s daughter, Jane Blain Gilbertson, now CEO and sole owner of the company is proud to keep that tradition alive with their Kids Helping Kids program.

Founded in 1955, Blain’s Farm & Fleet stores are specialty discount retailers with 36 locations throughout Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin. The company remains steadfast in its commitment to offering customers high quality products, competitive prices and reliable service. Visit www.farmandfleet.com.