For the Second Straight Year, the Battery Franchise Teams Up with Duracell to Power Donated Toys
Batteries Plus and Duracell have teamed up for the second consecutive year to provide batteries for Toys for Tots’ holiday gifts. Their partnership will provide 114,000 AA and AAA batteries for toys that will be given to less fortunate kids by Marine Toys for Tots, a 73-year-old program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.
Batteries Plus corporate headquarters, in Hartland, Wis., also collected toys to give children as part of its community outreach, and more than 70 locally-owned batteries Plus franchise stores across the United States held toy drives at their individual sites, gathering thousands of toys in the process.
In announcing the program for 2021, Scott Williams, CEO of Batteries Plus, says his company has “remained focused on our mission to be deeply-rooted part of the communities in which we serve. … It is an honor to be a part of making a difference. The opportunity to help Toys for Tots in its efforts to bring joy to underserved children and communities this holiday season is extra special and we look forward to continuing our partnership for many years to come.”
Toys for Tots welcomed the assistance with open arms. Donated gifts are crucial to the not-for-profit organization’s mission, but many of the toys need batteries and those are often not included in packaging when the item is bought. In a statement about the battery campaign, retired Marine Col. Ted Silvester, vice president of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, said: “Finding a present under the tree on Christmas morning is an experience every child deserves. The generous support provided by Batteries Plus allows Toys for Tots to fulfill the Christmas holiday dreams of less fortunate children who otherwise might have been forgotten.”
Toys for Tots doesn’t give out incomplete toys, including those that lack only batteries. So Batteries Plus and Duracell are helping the not-for-profit Toys for Tots organization in two ways, by completing toys and also by freeing up Toys for Tots funds to buy toys with the savings from not having to purchase batteries out of organization funds.
Founded in 1988, Batteries Plus is a go-to destination for all types of batteries, specialty light bulbs and phone-repair services that go directly to consumers as well as to commercial entities. The battery franchise also programs keys as well as replaces and cuts them. Forbes has listed Batteries Plus as one of its Best Franchises to Buy in America. The Duracell brand, established nearly a century ago, was acquired by Berkshire Hathaway Inc. in 2016 and is a leading battery brand in North America.
Toys for Tots collects toys, books and other gifts for distribution by Marines each holiday season. Last year the Marine Toys for Tots Program served approximately 7 million less fortunate children in more than 800 communities nationwide.