Hasbro, Inc.’s Timeless Legacy Of Giving
Since Hasbro Children’s Hospital opened 30 years ago, the generosity and spirit of Hasbro, Inc. has remained ever-present down every corridor of the hospital. From the iconic My Little Pony, Mr. Potato Head, Peppa Pig and Transformers that line the front windows, to the generous donations of toys and games enjoyed by patients of all ages, Hasbro’s mission to entertain through the “wonder of storytelling and exhilaration of play” is alive and well at Hasbro Children’s Hospital.
“Corporate social responsibility is at Hasbro’s core because it's woven into our DNA—we believe in making a positive impact through philanthropy,” says Kevin Colman, Senior Director of Global Philanthropy and Social Impact at Hasbro. “Since our founding a century ago, giving back to our communities, especially children and families, has been an important priority of our business. Today, our purpose is to create joy and community for all people around the world, one toy, one game, one story at a time.”
Striving to provide stability and moments of joy during times of uncertainty—including a hospital stay—Hasbro toys and games not only give children and families a sense of the normalcy of home, but they are also tools that Child Life Specialists and Healing Arts staff use with patients in therapeutic play and creativity while receiving medical care.
“We love how these programs serve the whole child supporting their psychosocial, developmental, and educational needs,” Kevin says. “So much of the hospital experience can be challenging and scary for children, and the Child Life Specialists are there to ensure that children still get to be kids. Supporting this program is perfectly aligned with our company’s purpose and mission.”
“Since we opened our doors, Hasbro, Inc. has been committed to providing our patients with the gift of play,” says Micaela Materne, Manager of Child Life Services. “We see every day how playful experiences lead to more positive health outcomes. The Child Life team values everything that Hasbro, Inc. brings to the healing process for our patients.”
In addition to the company’s generous philanthropic support, which includes a presenting sponsorship of the annual Heroes Ball, Hasbro employees have several opportunities to volunteer at the hospital throughout the year. Staff and patients alike enjoy seeing the blue “Team Hasbro” t-shirts during Game Days, seasonal cookouts, the annual Radiothon, and the Global Day of Joy.
“That engagement is very important to our staff,” Kevin says. “Our employees are passionate about supporting Hasbro Children’s, and their dedication to volunteering and supporting the hospital is awe-inspiring.”
This year the Child Life program was the beneficiary of Hasbro’s team-based fundraising event, the Raffle Rumble. A day like no other, employees competed to raise money for Hasbro Children’s Hospital. “This event truly speaks to the passion of our employees to go above and beyond to support the patients and families at Hasbro Children’s Hospital,” Kevin says. “We were thrilled that in just two hours we raised $36,000!”
But nothing is quite as cherished as Hasbro’s Global Day of Joy, a company-wide day of service held each December around the world. In Rhode Island, local employees and executive leadership spend time visiting patients and families at Hasbro Children’s Hospital.
“This is a true highlight of the day for our executives since they love bringing some holiday cheer to the floors of the hospital and seeing the smiles on the faces of the patients as they pass out Hasbro toys and games,” Kevin says.
From its founding 100 years ago by the Hassenfeld brothers, Hasbro has grown into an admired international brand with far-reaching philanthropic contributions and impact. However, Hasbro is proud to remain focused on supporting its local community and for that we are enormously grateful.
“Being headquartered in Rhode Island makes our partnership with Hasbro Children's Hospital particularly meaningful,” Kevin says. “It allows us to make a real difference in the lives of children right here in our own backyard. Knowing that our iconic brand is making a meaningful difference in every corner of the hospital is incredibly fulfilling and it reinforces our purpose to create joy and community. It's a reminder that our purpose goes beyond toys and games; it's about creating a better world for children and families, and we're honored to be a part of that every single day.”