Step2

In the United States alone, one in 125 newborns suffer from a congenital heart defect (CHD), making it America’s number one birth defect. The Saving tiny Hearts Society is committed to funding CHD research, extending the lives of children born with a CHD today and those 50 years from now.

In appreciation for the efforts of the Saving tiny Hearts Society, Step2 pledged $10,000 as part of the holiday 2011 contest to support CHD research in hopes of erasing this life-threatening condition forever.

“At Step2 we are a big extended family and some of our own have been affected by Congenital Heart Defects,” said Jerry McDermott, chief marketing officer.” As part of our Just BeCause program to reach out and do something good, we are able to touch the lives of others who want their children to be well and need attention on a cause for further research and development.”

Our CMO Jerry along with his wife Donna delivered the $10,000 donation to Francie and Brian at the Saving tiny Hearts Society

“We’re thrilled Step2 is a member of the Saving tiny Hearts Family,” said Francie Paul, the Chairman and President of the Saving tiny Hearts Society. “This donation is funding promising CHD research in hopes of finding a cure. We are eternally grateful for their continued support.”

With the holidays quickly approaching, Step2 and Invodo are proud to donate $3,500 worth of toys to the Children’s Medical Center in Dallas to allow for creative role play and hours of fun for kids at the hospital and their visitors.

As a brand famous for play kitchens and real life activity spaces, the donation includes more than 40 different Step2 toys that offer numerous play experiences. The toys will help contribute to the hospital’s children’s lounge and play areas to help establish a comforting atmosphere.

Team members from both companies personally dropped off the donation on Wednesday, November 16.

About Invodo

Invodo helps businesses sell more through the power of video. A full-service eCommerce video solution, Invodo creates high-quality product video at scale and develops new technology to influence consumers where it matters most. Invodo videos increase sales conversion rates, reduce returns and drive site traffic for customers, including Internet 500 retailers and major brands. For more information, please visit www.invodo.com.

About Children’s Medical Center

Children’s is a private, not-for-profit system. It’s the seventh-largest pediatric healthcare provider in the country, with 559 licensed beds, two full-service campuses and 10 outpatient sites. It was the state’s first pediatric hospital to achieve Level 1 Trauma status and is the only pediatric teaching facility in North Texas, affiliated with UT Southwestern Medical Center. For more information about Children’s, please visit www.childrens.com

Step2 would like to acknowledge employees’ military family members in honor of Veterans Day. Photos of loved ones who are serving or have served in a branch of the military are proudly on display in our office cafeteria today.

Step2 also honors:

• Sara Skerl’s husband Christopher who served in the Marines and invaded Iraq in 2003 and her father Sergeant Robert Hawk who was in the US Army and served Vietnam.
• Step2′s Jake Mohoric of the US Army Reserve
• Rose Rigby and Judy McCoy’s niece Emily Varga of the Air Force Reserve
• Lauren Hogue’s brother Master Sergeant Roman B. Smeiles of the Air Force
• Neil Weinebrenner’s dad Francis of the US Army and uncle Clinton  of the US Air Force
• James L. Christie of the Army Reserves 1976 – 1991

Step2′s own Jared Atkins, Coordinator of International Development, was a hero last night as he rescued a woman from her burning home.

Jared and his friend were driving past the home of Constance Mellott, Emeritus professor of the School of Library and Information Science at Kent State University, last night when they saw the fire.

“[My friend] saw the flames, and so he stopped his truck and backed it up,” Jared said in a kentwired.com article. “I jumped out of my car and ran into the house while he called 911.”

We commend him for his bravery and are proud to have a hero amongst us today!

Step2 and Infantino are collaborating with photographer Kelle Hampton for our Everybody Plays campaign concept, and we want to see some pictures of your little one!

We’re looking for babies and kiddos up to five years old, in all shapes, sizes and styles. If your child is selected, there’s a good chance he or she will show up on Step2 and Infantino’s 2012 packaging or website, and your little one can help us show the world that we’re all unique – and that unique is awesome!

Please note this call is only open to Southern California parents and children between the ages of 0 and 5 who are not represented by an agency. Please email submissions to castingcall@infantino.com with a full-length and close-up photo.  

None of our children look, grow, talk or laugh alike, and we think that’s beautiful! In fact, we want to celebrate it, and show the unique faces, smiles and styles of babies everywhere. And we’re doing just that with our new Everybody Plays campaign.

To kick it off, Step2 and Infantino are collaborating with talented photographer/blogger Kelle Hampton who will be capturing some fresh faces for our 2012 packaging and website.

We’re looking forward to working with Kelle and we’ll share updates soon. In the meantime, you can see some of Kelle’s work and check our her (awesome!) blog.