January 5, 2018 (New York, NY) – At more than 40 community events across Puerto Rico, children who have been affected by Hurricanes Irma and Maria are celebrating Three Kings Day this year with more than 36,000 toys purchased and donated by Toys“R”Us® customers. Displaced Puerto Ricans in the mainland U.S. will also be excited to unwrap an additional 3,000 donated toys at Three Kings Day events in select cities across the country.
The “Toys4PuertoRico” drive was launched on Tuesday, December 12 by award-winning composer, lyricist, and performer Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hispanic Federation, Toys“R”Us, Telemundo, and R.Evolución Latina.
“Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of donors throughout the world and our phenomenal partner organizations, we blew the roof off our initial goal of collecting 10,000 toys for kids from Puerto Rico,” said Lin-Manuel Miranda. “I remember how special Three Kings Day was for me as a kid, with images of camels and kings roaming around my house with presents. I’m so proud that so many people from across the world have come together in the spirit of unity to make sure that families from Puerto Rico can celebrate together on this festivity.”
Three Kings Day, celebrated on January 6, is one of the most important holidays for Puerto Ricans and Latin Americans across the world. Families celebrate through generous gift-giving to honor the gifts given by the Three Wise Men to Jesus Christ.
“Our hope is that Puerto Rican children and their families can experience the thrill of Three Kings Day and return to a sense of normalcy during this tumultuous time of recovery,” said José Calderón, President of Hispanic Federation. “The tremendous outpouring of support and toy donations will ensure that we reach kids who have been impacted on every part of the island and the mainland in celebrations that capture the true sentiment of the holidays.”
In Puerto Rico, donated toys will be sorted by Toys“R”Us employees on the ground and distributed to more than 40 locations across the island thanks to a grant from JUSTABUNCHOFROADIES.ORG. The events, organized by Hispanic Federation and R.Evolución Latina partner agencies, will feature dancing and storytelling, with some welcoming the public to attend.
Telemundo’s “El Poder En Ti” (The Power in You) corporate social responsibility initiative, the official media partner for the “Toys4PuertoRico” campaign, has donated $30,000 to support the festivities. Additional support is being provided by Comunicad, former New York City Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and Ramon Tallaj, M.D.
In addition to events in Puerto Rico, there will be celebrations in New York City, Boston, Chicago, Wallingford, Danbury, and Orlando for displaced Puerto Ricans. Toys for these events were donated by Toys“R”Us, Wildlife Conservation Society, Just Play, LLC., and FAO Schwarz.
At the New York City event, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Lin-Manuel Miranda will be on hand to distribute toys to children from nearly 50 families. Lin-Manuel Miranda will read the story of the Three Kings to the children in attendance, who will also receive total experience tickets for families to visit any of the Wildlife Conservation Society parks which include the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo and the New York Aquarium. Children in Orlando will receive gift theme park passes from Universal Studios.
Since September 20, when Hurricane Maria slammed into Puerto Rico and devastated the island, Hispanic Federation and Lin-Manuel Miranda and his family have worked together to raise money and awareness for the 3.5 million American citizens whose lives were upended and changed forever. The outpouring of support from the rest of the country and around the world has been incredible, and has enabled Hispanic Federation and its partners on the ground to provide millions of pounds of food, clean water, basic medical care and other emergency support services to all the 78 municipalities on the island.
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About Hispanic Federation: The mission of the Hispanic Federation is to empower and advance the Hispanic community. The Hispanic Federation provides grants and services to a broad network of Latino non-profit agencies serving the most vulnerable members of the Hispanic community and advocates nationally with respect to the vital issues of education, health, immigration, economic empowerment, civic engagement and the environment. For more information, please visit www.hispanicfederation.org.
About NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises: NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises is a world-class media company leading the industry in the production and distribution of high-quality Spanish-language content to U.S. Hispanics and audiences around the world. This fast-growing multiplatform portfolio is comprised of the Telemundo Network and Station Group, Telemundo Deportes, Telemundo Studios, Telemundo Internacional, Telemundo International Studios, Universo, and a Digital Enterprises & Emerging Business unit. Telemundo Network features original Spanish-language entertainment, news and sports content reaching 94% of U.S. Hispanic TV households in 210 markets through 17 owned stations, 55 affiliates and its national feed. Telemundo also owns WKAQ, a television station that serves viewers in Puerto Rico. Telemundo Deportes is the designated Spanish-language home of two of the world’s most popular sporting events: FIFA World Cup™ through 2026 and the Summer Olympic Games through 2032. As the #1 media company reaching Hispanics and millennials online, the Digital Enterprises & Emerging Business unit distributes original content across multiple platforms, maximizing its exclusive partnerships with properties such as Buzzfeed, Vox, and Snapchat. Through Telemundo Internacional, the largest U.S.-based distributor of Spanish-language content in the world; Telemundo International Studios, a production unit focused on creating high-end short form, scripted formats for international markets; and Universo, the fastest growing Hispanic entertainment cable network, the company reflects the diverse lifestyle, cultural experience and language of its expanding audience. NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises is a division of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.
About JUSTABUNCHOFROADIES.ORG: JUSTABUNCHOFROADIES.ORG is an organization whose goal is to utilize the skills, assets, relationships, determination and compassion of those who work in the touring music industry in order to execute humanitarian based projects domestically and internationally. Our intent is to respond to specific project based needs in a collaborative and efficient manner with the companies and individuals in the music industry and in tandem with other npo/ngo’s in order to double their efforts or broaden their reach.
By utilizing the skills and generosity of roadies and touring production companies involved in staging events and music/rock tours worldwide, we are proud to be able to join with Lin-Manuel Miranda in distributing toys to children of Puerto Rico in celebration of Los Tres Reyes and will continue in our efforts to support projects to make a difference in Puerto Rico. Funding for JUSTABUNCHOFROADIES.ORG is made by generous contributions by APR Energy, Upstaging, Rockitcargo, John and Suzanne Campion Foundation, Clair Global, Tait Towers, Gallagher Staging, Stageco, SES, along with generous help from many other companies and individuals that are our guardian angels and have been with us from the start.
About Wildlife Conservation Society: The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The zoo is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays, 5:30 p.m. weekends from April to October; 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m November to March. Adult general admission is $22.95, children (3-12 years old) $14.95, children under 3 are free, seniors (65+) are $20.95. Parking is $16 for cars and $20 for buses. The Bronx Zoo is conveniently located off the Bronx River Parkway at Exit 6; by train via the #2 or #5 or by bus via the #9, #12, #19, #22, MetroNorth, or BxM11 Express Bus service (from Manhattan that stops just outside the gate.) To plan your trip, visit bronxzoo.com or call 718-367-1010.
