eBay kicked off the season of giving by launching two charitable, virtual pop-up stores in San Francisco and New York City on Friday, Nov. 11, benefiting Toys for Tots. Taking full advantage of eBay’s innovative mobile technologies, shoppers can use their smart phones to scan toys in the window displays for price tags and make corresponding donations.
When shoppers scan the QR codes for prices, which range from $2 to $25, the toys in the window come to life and cheer in gratitude. eBay will donate 100 percent of the proceeds from this campaign to Toys for Tots.
The Give-a-Toy store windows launched online at www.eBay.com/GiveaToyStore. Visitors can make donations, play virtual games and share their activities on Facebook and Twitter. Facebook users can also like the Give-a-Toy page on Facebook on Facebook and customize virtual toys. For each virtual toy a user customizes, eBay will contribute $1, up to $50,000 to Toys for Tots.
“This holiday season, we are leveraging our technology and platform to power The Give-a-Toy Store, which offers a differentiated experience for shoppers who wish to give using their mobile phone,” said Richelle Parham, Chief Marketing Officer, eBay North America. “Consumers are more inclined to give to charity during the holidays, and eBay is gearing up for what we believe will be our biggest mobile shopping season ever. We partnered with Toys for Tots to spread some holiday cheer and give people an innovative way to window shop for good.”
The new pop-up stores will be open to the public now through Dec. 9 at 117 Post Street in San Francisco and 35th Street and Broadway in New York City.
“It always feels good to give, but I think it is especially gratifying during the holiday season,” said actress Debra Messing, spokesperson for the campaign. “I’m really excited eBay and Toys for Tots asked me to help open The Give-a-Toy Store here in New York. It’s a fun and interactive way to spread some holiday cheer this year – you can donate toys to kids in need, right from a smartphone.”
View the next holiday press release.