IKEA's latest Soft Toys Aid campaign has begun. For every toy purchased from now to December 23, the retailer will donate one pound (one euro in Europe, one dollar in the US) to UNICEF and Save the Children. IKEA has raised nearly 17 million pounds since 2003, not counting the millions of pounds the company has committed to UNICEF projects through 2015.The retailer got involved with the children's nonprofits when it discovered that some of its suppliers were employing children. Instead of simply dropping the suppliers, IKEA asked the nonprofits for advice. Then it began monitoring its suppliers and established pilot programs to prevent the use of child labour. It became a strong supporter of children's rights and later created Soft Toys Aid, which allows shoppers to feel good about helping children without spending an extra dime.
Soft Toys Aid has a fun social media component. The microsite features singing stuffed animals and invites members of the public to "Join the choir" (record your voice and upload for one of the animals to sing) and "Share" (on Facebook, Digg, etc). Sing out for children!
