SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--(NASDAQ: AMZN)— Today, Amazon celebrates Giving Tuesday by launching an easy way for customers to donate a toy to a child in need this holiday via Alexa and Toys for Tots. Customers simply say, “Alexa, donate to Toys for Tots,” and they will be presented with a reasonably priced item appropriate for kids across a broad range of ages directly from the Toys for Tots Charity List. After the customer confirms the order, Amazon ships it directly to Toys for Tots, creating a seamless path for easy holiday giving. Customers will be able to donate through the end of the year and Amazon is matching donations toy for toy. For more information, please visit www.amazon.com/alexatoysfortots.
“Alexa provides an easy way to give back this holiday season enabling customers to donate an item to Toys for Tots in less than 60 seconds,” said Chuck Moore, VP of Alexa Shopping. “This time of year is made brighter by the generosity of others. With Alexa Shopping, we want to make all kinds of shopping more convenient, whether you are shopping for yourself or for the wider community. We are pleased to help support Toys for Tots with Alexa.”
This is the first time customers are able to donate an item to a charity using Alexa, adding to the existing option customers have of making monetary donations to a range of charities using Alexa. Toys for Tots has curated their Charity List with items such as iconic Mickey and Minnie plush toys, Nerf footballs, Monopoly games and more. Your tax deductible donation will go to a child in need, delivering smiles for the holiday. In addition, Alexa provides tracking and delivery updates to the customer, letting them know their gift arrived safely. Customers can either ask “Alexa, where’s my stuff?” to find out the delivery status of their gift or sign up for Alexa Shopping Notifications to have Alexa let them know when their Amazon order is successfully delivered.
“We are so excited to see how many faces will light up after receiving a toy via Alexa this holiday season,” said Pete Osman, President and CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “Our primary goal is to help bring the joy of the season and send a message of hope to America’s less fortunate children. If we can be part of an easier way for people to give back and donate this holiday season, we’re on board! We are grateful that Amazon embraces our mission and is utilizing its unique shopping innovations technology to help us achieve our goal.”
More ways to support a cause this holiday season:
- Alexa Donations: Customers who wish to make a monetary donation to the charity of their choice outside of Toys for Tots are still able to do so. Simply say, “Alexa, I want to make a donation” to get started.
- Charity Lists: New this holiday season, customers can shop Charity Lists and donate an item to their favorite charity. Charity Lists is a new feature that provides non-profits an easy way to create lists while providing a convenient way for customers to donate needed items to the charity of their choice with the reassurance the curated list is managed by the charity. Customers can shop Charity Lists from hundreds of charities by visiting smile.amazon.com/charitylists.
- AmazonSmile: AmazonSmile is a way for customers to support their favorite charity every time they shop with Amazon, at no extra cost. Customers who start their shopping at smile.amazon.com will find the same Amazon they know and love, with the bonus that AmazonSmile will donate a portion of the purchase price of eligible items to the charity they choose.
About Amazon
Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, and Alexa are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews.
About Toys for Tots
Toys for Tots, a 71-year national charitable program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, provides happiness and hope to disadvantaged children during each Christmas holiday season. The toys, books and other gifts collected and distributed by the Marines offer these children recognition, confidence and a positive memory for a lifetime. It is such experiences that help children become responsible citizens and caring members of their community. Last year the Marine Toys for Tots Program fulfilled the holiday hopes and dreams of 7 million less fortunate children in over 800 communities nationwide. Since 1947 over 251 million children have been assisted. The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is a not for profit organization authorized by the U.S. Marine Corps and the Department of Defense to provide fundraising and other necessary support for the annual Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. For more information, visit www.toysfortots.org.
