Tom Holland visits LAC+USC to support Marvel: The Universe Unites, a week-long charity campaign to help support children’s charities (Getty Images for Disney)
Marvel’s Spider-Man himself, Tom Holland, made a surprise visit to LA County + USC Medical Center today to personally deliver the first of $1 million worth of toys donated by Funko to Starlight Children’s Foundation. Tom arrived in Amazon’s Treasure Truck to make the special delivery before spending time with children at the hospital.
The surprise is part of Marvel: The Universe Unites, an epic charity campaign combining the super powers of the cast of Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Infinity War to help support children’s charities and count down to the launch of movie related products on March 3.
Tom commented, “These kids are real-life super heroes – it was an inspiring experience to spend some time with them and deliver the first batch of toys from Funko. I’m honored to be a part of such an incredible cast and to support this great campaign that aims to bring joy to the lives of hospitalized children and their families.”
The week-long event kicked off with a social media challenge for the stars of Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Infinity War. Cast members received special toy care packages filled with new products celebrating their Marvel character to be donated to children’s hospitals. Their mission? To create a picture or video to reveal the new toys to fans and post on social media with the goal of collectively reaching a million likes. The Super Heroes moved at record speed with their #HeroActs posts and reached the goal in less than 24 hours, unlocking a $250,000 donation to Starlight Children’s Foundation.
Here’s a preview of the action figures and toys the cast will be revealing this week:
More about the campaign
“This movie has one of the greatest ensemble casts of all time, and we are challenging them to use their collective might to benefit children’s charities,” said Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman, Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media. “We’re kicking off by inviting some of the world’s biggest stars to get creative on social media to support Starlight Children’s Foundation, a charity that works to bring joy and comfort to hospitalized children and their families.”
As part of Marvel Studios: Hero Acts, a charitable initiative launched in 2016, some members of the cast of Avengers: Infinity War will receive a special toy care package filled with new products celebrating their Marvel character to be donated to children’s hospitals.
Their mission? To take a creative picture or video to reveal the new toys to fans and post it to their Facebook, Instagram or Twitter channels using #HeroActs. When their collective posts hit a million likes, they will unlock a $250,000 US donation to Starlight Children’s Foundation® from Marvel.
“Being a Marvel Super Hero gives us a powerful platform to directly influence positive change. Giving back to kids is the most impactful role you can play,” comments Marvel Studios’ Black Panther star, Chadwick Boseman. “Marvel: The Universe Unites and #HeroActs is just a fun way to support a noble cause while entertaining kids and fans around the globe.”
Marvel partners are also supporting the cause with their own #HeroActs in support of children’s charities. As part of the week’s events, Hasbro will donate $1 million US worth of cash and products to Give Kids The World, an organization that fulfills the wishes of children with critical illnesses and their families by providing them with an unforgettable trip which includes a visit to their village in Central Florida and access to Walt Disney World Resort.
Funko, known for their pop culture collectibles, will make a $1 million US toy donation to Starlight as part of theMarvel: The Universe Unites campaign.
“From our fantastic cast to our toy and retail partners, it’s great to see the Marvel Cinematic Universe come together in this way to support children’s charities,” comments Kevin Feige, President, Marvel Studios. “The launch of the products forAvengers: Infinity War is a fun way for fans to celebrate the countdown to the movie, and this initiative underscores that moment in a really special way.”
Starting March 3, new Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Infinity War products will be included in the Marvel: The Universe Unites Amazon Wish List, enabling consumers to send toys directly to Starlight.
Marvel: The Universe Unites will culminate the weekend of March 3 when shopDisney.com and Disney stores in the U.S. will donate 10% of sales of all Marvel products made between March 3-4, 2018 (up to $50,000) to Make-A-Wish® to help grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.
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