For Sari and Sam Powazek, the husband and wife team who own the fun-loving and always cheerful Doll House & Toy Store in Scottsdale, Ariz., one of the purest joys of owning and operating a children’s toy store is knowing how happy and excited children get when they receive a new toy, game, book, bike, or doll that has come from one of their store shelves. Making children smile from ear to ear is their specialty.
Recently, the Powazeks experienced this joy in a big way when they donated $1,800 worth of new toys, games, scooters, stuffed animals, and arts & crafts supplies to the dozens of children involved with the Wellness Community – Arizona (TWC-AZ), a wonderful, national, non-profit organization that provides support, education, and hope to people with cancer and their loved ones.
Many of the toys donated came from winning TDmonthly's Charity Giveaway contest, which provided them with offerings from Safari Ltd., Infinitoy and Glide Bikes.
"We chose the Wellness Community - Arizona because it does not have a huge fundraising base and because, unfortunately, everyone is somehow touched by cancer," said Sari. "Cancer happens to run in my family and I have lost two siblings to this insidious disease. If in any way we can brighten up a child's day, it warms my heart and becomes my butterfly for the day - something that makes my heart sing and my mouth smile."
There is a special children’s support group at TWC-AZ called "KidSupport" that is a 10-week support group for children ages 7–12 who have a sibling, parent, grandparent or other loved one diagnosed with cancer. Each week a topic is covered to help children gain age-appropriate information, promote discussion about what they are feeling, and teach coping skills.
You can see the toys that Doll House & Toy Store was able to donate below:
12" Mini Glider by GLIDE BIKES
12" Mini Glider for children ages 2-5. Made from lightweight aluminum alloy, the Mini Glider features our patented slow speed geometry along with removable foot pegs, child sized handbrake, quick release seat post clamp, kickstand, and a lifetime warranty! Available in 5 metallic colors, weighs only 8 pounds.
The ZOOB JR. Scooter features 18 ZOOB JR. pieces, 4 wheels, and instructions for 17 creations, such as a scooter, a mini go-cart, a skateboarder, and a spinning robot (but kids can make up lots more). The instructions require no reading, and are printed on sturdy cards. ZOOB JR. is our fastest-growing product category.
Based on the success of last year's ZOOBMobile Fastback (which included one pull-back friction motor), the ZOOBMobile Fastback H2H features two pull-back friction motors so kids can create their own ZOOBMobiles and race them against each other. But kids can also put the motors together to make a super vehicle that goes even faster, for up to 40 feet. The Fastback H2H features 45 ZOOB pieces and 8 high-quality tires that are notched so they work like gears. Because ZOOB® pieces snap together so many different ways, kids can use their imaginations to create their own vehicles, and add on pieces from their ZOOB collections to make even more. The Fastback H2H is fully compatible with all other Infinitoy ZOOB pieces.
Safari People John & Baxter Zookeeper by SAFARI LTD.®
Our keepers are more than just "cleaner-uppers". They show nurturing in action. Each replica is finely hand painted and accurate down to the last detail. Educational information in five languages is included with each replica. All our products are phthalate-free and thoroughly safety tested to safeguard your child's health. Safari Ltd.® takes pride in providing breathtaking, innovative and value priced figures for now over three generations. Featured is our Safari Ltd.® People John & Baxter Zookeeper Size: 1.5" L x 3.75" H (4 x 9.5 cm). Suggested age 3+. All of our products are lead free and thoroughly safety tested.
Incredible Creatures® White–lipped Snail by SAFARI LTD.®
At almost five inches long, not many snails can measure up to our Incredible Creatures® White-lipped Snail. The wild animals in our Incredible Creatures® collection are the largest models of any series, making them perfect for children’s small hands. For added value to both toy lovers and collectors, most of the replicas in this collection are made to scale, and some are even life sized. Like all Safari Ltd® figures, these toys are professionally sculpted and hand painted for stunning, accurate detail. The scale of this White-lipped Snail is 1:0.5
Incredible Creatures Queen Triggerfish by SAFARI LTD.®
Part of the stunning Incredible Creatures series, this Queen Triggerfish is a stunning example of nature in all its wonder. The product is soft to the touch for added realism and it floats. Finely hand painted, phthalate free and safety tested. Each comes with an educational hang tag in 5 languages. Size: 6" L x 4" H. View our entire collection at safariltd.com.
Incredible Creatures Galapagos Marine Iguana by SAFARI LTD.®
Safari Ltd introduces a new edition to the stunning Incredible Creatures Series. Our hand painted, phthalate free Galapagos Marine Iguana shows intricate detail. These iguanas feed on the seaweed from the ocean, and expel the salt from the water by sneezing it out through their noses. Our Incredible Creatures series are soft to the touch for added realism and include 5 language educational information. Replica size: 9.1” L x 5” H. View our entire collection at www.safariltd.com
Incredible Creatures® Cobra Hatchling by SAFARI LTD.®
Extra large, soft, playful, true-to-life vinyl replicas of some of the most amazing creatures in the world. Excellent learning tool to introduce young children to our delicate and often endangered inhabitants of our planet. A fun way to spark the innate curiosity of a child. Each replica is finely hand painted and accurate down to the last detail. Educational information in five languages is included with each replica. All our products are phthalate-free and thoroughly safety tested to safeguard children's health.
Wild Safari® Sealife Flippers, Fins & Fun Set by SAFARI LTD.®
Detailed replicas of tropical marine life and a realistic coral reef surround this young diver with a wild underwater adventure. Exquisite sculpting and attention to detail make this the ideal gift for any child. The packaging features educational information in 5 languages on the back. All Safari Ltd.® products are phthalate and lead free and safety tested to safeguard children’s health. We take pride in the quality, innovation and design that have characterized our products for over 3 generations. Flippers, Fins & Fun Gift Set Includes: Dolphin, Sea Turtle, Queen Triggerfish, Grouper, Coral Reef, and Freddie the Free Diver. Box Size: 11” W x 4.75” H x 4” D (28 x 12 x 10 cm)
Writer's Bio: ALISON MAREK is an award-winning writer, director and cartoonist whose work has been published by Fairchild Publications and DC Comics (Piranha Press), broadcast on Showtime and other cable networks, and viewed worldwide in film festivals. See her short films and print work on www.alisonmarek.com. Watch her nefarious villains in the web series www.MuggsMovers.com. Get inspired by her cartoons "Daily ARFFirmations to Unleash Your Inner Fido" at www.ARFFirmations.com. Phew! And then ... Read more articles by this author
Writer's Bio: ALISON MAREK is an award-winning writer, director and cartoonist whose work has been published by Fairchild Publications and DC Comics (Piranha Press), broadcast on Showtime and other cable networks, and viewed worldwide in film festivals. See her short films and print work on www.alisonmarek.com. Watch her nefarious villains in the web series www.MuggsMovers.com. Get inspired by her cartoons "Daily ARFFirmations to Unleash Your Inner Fido" at www.ARFFirmations.com. Phew! And then ... Read more articles by this author
