Everett’s Funko gives $1.5 million worth of toys to children

Published 1:30 am Tuesday, November 22, 2016

EVERETT — Funko, the maker of licensed toys and collectibles, announced Tuesday that it will provide more than $1.5 million worth of toys to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Foundation this holiday season.

The Everett company will give more than 250,000 toys to be distributed through the Toys for Tots foundation to less-fortunate children.

The company also is encouraging fans to celebrate the season by supporting their local Toys for Tots programs with donations of toys or money.

“The holidays are a time to give back and we are proud to continue our new tradition and support Toys for Tots for the second year in a row,” said Brian Mariotti, CEO of Funko, in a statement. “We hope our contribution can help put some smiles on children’s faces this holiday season.”

Retired Marine Col. Ted Silvester, vice president of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, thanked Funko for being a major national sponor for the Toys for Tots campaign.

“We believe every child deserves a little Christmas,” Silvester said. “With Funko’s generous support, we will be able to fulfill the Christmas holiday dreams of thousands of less fortunate children, who otherwise might have been forgotten.”

Funko creates several product lines including its popular Pop! figurines — cute, cartoony pop-culture characters with oversized heads and black eyes.

The company was founded in Snohomish in 1998 but has a warehouse and offices in southwest Everett. The company plans to move its headquarters to downtown Everett next year.

Funko fans looking to support their local Toys for Tots Program can find more information at www.toysfortots.org/default.aspx.