Dad of Divas' Reviews: Monkeez - A New Toy That Gives Back to Child and Society

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Monkeez - A New Toy That Gives Back to Child and Society

About the Product
Are you looking for unique ways to teach kids the importance of philanthropy and helping others? Consider enlisting the help of some Genuine Monkeez.

MVP Group International, Inc. is turning philanthropy into child’s play with its new educational, charitable program, Monkeez Makes a Difference. The first-of-its-kind innovative and interactive experience teaches children the importance of helping others through kid-friendly tools including the best-selling Genuine Monkeez and Friends™ plush characters, online games, real-life Do Good challenges and a special donation on a child’s behalf to one of three nationally renowned charities of his or her choice.

Monkeez Makes a Difference gives children the opportunity to learn and practice giving back while having fun. It also provides an innovative solution to parents, grandparents and others who are hungry for tools to help them discuss and demonstrate what it means to think of others in today’s world.

The fun and education starts with the purchase of a Genuine Monkeez and Friends plush character featuring a special Monkeez Makes a Difference tag, which are available at www.MonkeezAndFriends.com and at independent retailers across the country. There are more than 90 plush designs in multiple sizes to choose from in the program, including characters such as monkeys, owls, bears, lions, dogs, cats, pigs, cows, octopuses, panda bears, kangaroos, turtles, koalas, alligators, hedgehogs, elephants, hippos, zebras, frogs, bunnies and raccoons. New pint-sized pals are also part of the program, featuring smaller sizes, soft fabric and retail prices starting at just $8. Each specially marked character comes with a unique online game activation code on the tag. The products’ suggested retail prices range from $2.99 to $100, and are available at www.MonkeezAndFriends.com and independent retailers across the country.

With an adult’s help, children follow the instructions on the tag and visit www.MonkeezAndFriends.com. There, they can enter the code and watch videos about each charity that partners with Monkeez Makes a Difference, including Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, Samaritan’s Purse and Best Friends Animal Society.

Children can select which charity they would like to contribute to, and Monkeez Makes a Difference donates 10 percent of the wholesale cost on their behalf. By selecting the charity of their choice, children unlock the door to an interactive and educational online world. Children can revisit www.MonkeezAndFriends.com as many times as they’d like to play educational games and learn more about what they can do to help others.

Monkeez Makes a Difference also extends the experience to the local level, helping children to make a difference at home, at school and in their communities every day with Do Good Cards. Available in 15 different packs, each Do Good Card set contains challenges that consist of simple, but meaningful, tasks, such as, “Today at lunch, look around. Invite a child that is sitting alone to sit with you.” When children have completed each challenge and talked about the experience with their parents, they receive the trading card, which can be redeemed at www.MonkeezAndFriends.com to receive incentives to continue making a difference.

Monkeez Makes a Difference was developed by Chrysti Carol Propes, director of Monkeez Makes a Difference, and supported by the Propes family, owners of MVP Group International, Inc. As a mother of two boys, former teacher, children’s book author and writer for educational apps, Propes based the program on research that indicates it’s never too early to teach children to think of others and that children should be empowered to explore causes and reach their own decisions about what to support. She knew the Genuine Monkeez and Friends characters, beloved by her young sons, would be the perfect vehicle to turn the core value of philanthropy into a fun and meaningful educational program.

“There are so many children, families and animals in need not only around the world, but in our own communities,” Propes says. “Parents are looking for ways to teach the values of thinking of others and believing every person can make a difference, and Monkeez Makes a Difference fulfills that need in a unique and interactive way. On behalf of the entire Propes family, we believe that even though they may be small, kids can make a big difference and by creating opportunities like Monkeez Makes a Difference, we can instill philanthropic values to last a lifetime.”


Christine Osborne, founder and owner of Wonder Works toy stores with four retail locations in the Charleston, S.C. area, has 23 years of experience working with children. “The program is cutting edge – I don’t know of any other company that creates toys that give back in this way, empowering children to decide which charities to support based on their passion and providing games and lessons that encourage philanthropy at such a young age,” Osborne says. “The program speaks to children, parents and grandparents alike with the shared value of helping others through kid-friendly products and games. It’s the gift that truly keeps on giving.”

For more information or to order, visit www.MonkeezAndFriends.com.

My Take on the Product
My youngest daughter loves monkeys. She has a number of different monkeys that are adorning her room and anytime she can she loves to add to her collection. When we received our Monkeez monkey she was ecstatic, and I actually received a call at work asking me if she could have it. Of course I said yes, and you can see the joy in her face above. I was very impressed with the quality of the construction of the monkey itself. The monkey is heavy weight and even though I have only had this for a short period of time I can tell that this is something that will definitely last over the years. I also have to say that I was impressed once I learned more about the company in general. The fact that they donate 10% of their wholesale cost on products that they make to charity is both noble and important for our kids to understand as it is through these companies that positive corporate practices transpire and follow. I can only hope that other companies will follow this companies' lead.

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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