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 download a
dedicated app to customize virtual toys. For each virtual
toy a user customizes, eBay will contribute from $1 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. 31 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."