Step2

In 2009, SPPRAK (special people performing random acts of kindness), a nonprofit organization was launched by Kim Grubb, Robin Heng, and Susan Short.  SPPRAK’S mission is to encourage acts of kindness that make a difference in the lives of others. In February 2013, SPPRAK received permission to place banners inside schools, encouraging students to write on sticky notes when their classmates and teachers performed a random act of kindness for them. A first grade teacher in Terre Haute, Indiana, where SPPRAK banners were placed, asked her students to write down each act of kindness that their classmates and teachers did for them. This was only meant to be a two week program but due to its popularity it has become a long term program that has become popular in other local schools and even at many high schools. American comic strip creator and author Scott Adams once said, “Remember there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.”  This quote is true for the students partaking in SPPARK; they are proving that kindness is contagious. This Thoughtful Thursday, we thank SPPARK for teaching children at a young age how to be kind to others.

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Are you hungry? With so many kitchens to choose from, your children will be cooking up a storm!   

Did you know that Step2 originally started off manufacturing mailboxes and home & garden before branching into children’s toys?. Even to this day, Step2 is known for durable mailboxes and home & garden products. While there are currently a variety of home & garden products available, some of products get discontinued from time to time.

During the spring, we often get questions from customers about where can they find a Step2 pond for their yard. At the end of 2010, we discontinued the Stone Hill™ Tranquility Pond. Although this product has been discontinued, we have other home & garden products that can make your yard look great (we even have garden tools that will help make gardening easier).

Outdoor Storage Bench: This bench with natural colors and textures will look great in any backyard and can also double as a great storage place for gardening tools or children’s toys. Spoiler alert: be on the lookout for more outdoor furniture during the summer of 2013!

Garden Kneeler: This planting assistant makes it comfortable to kneel or sit while gardening! It is also easy to transport from place to place.

Garden Hopper: Roll your gardening tools around and take a seat on this durable gardening tool. It also features a beverage holder to keep you hydrated while you plant.

MailMaster Hudson Mailbox with Planter: While flowers and other plants are in full bloom, you can place some shrubbery into the planter of this mailbox and have the most beautiful mailbox on your street! This mailbox is also available without a planter.

Which Step2 home & garden products are you using this spring and summer in your yard?

“Good actions give strength to ourselves and inspire good actions in others,” said Classical Greek Philosopher, Plato. This quote describes, ten year old, NaSeaph Williams perfectly. NaSeaph is battling Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome, a rare genetic condition that weakens his heart, muscles, and lungs. He is unable to walk and is prone to seizures.

NaSaeph’s mother describes her son as a giving person that always wants to make others happy. During Christmas, NaSeaph used $60 that he was given to buy toys for children at the Saratoga Spring, Florida homeless shelter.

Laurel McAdoo, founder of Myles of Smyles, and Erin Musto, founder of Maddie’s Mark, met NaSeaph at a charity event put on by the  Starlight Children’s Foundation on March 29^th . When Laurel and Erin found out that NaSeaph’s  birthday was in a few weeks, they asked him what he wanted. He said he wanted to have a party and for everyone who comes to his party to bring canned goods to donate to the food pantry.  The reason why he wanted to donate food to the hungry for his birthday was because he was appreciative for the help that he and his mother received from others during his life.

Although NaSaeph does not want anything in particular for his birthday, he has four wishes; he wants a wheelchair van to help get him to his doctor visits, meet Tom Brady from the New England Patriots, meet Jon Cena from WWE, and to be free from pain. NaSeaph wants to continue to give back for the kindness he has received. When he was asked what makes him so nice, he said it was his mother.

An unknown author once said “kindness and honesty can only be expected from the strong.” NaSaeph is an incredibly strong young man who will keep fighting for himself and others. This Thoughtful Thursday, we honor his willingness to give to others and pray someday that there is a cure for his rare disease.

We have always said, we have the most creative customers. Check out what one dad created* for his little princess:

*Disclaimer: The Step2 Company LLC does not promote or condone the alterations of Step2 products. This blog was solely written for the purpose to show the creativity of our customers. If you choose to alter the appearance of your Step2 product, it will void the warranty.

One of our favorite spring products, the Easy Turn Coupe was featured on NBC as a spring PAL (Play on Words) Award Winner. Creator of PAL, Sherry Artemenko, speech language pathologist, writer, and toy consultant recognizes toys for their quality, design, and  play value. Toys that receive the PAL award spark creative play within children, which is essential for their development.

The Easy Turn Coupe has fun features which both Sherry and parents admire:

• Gas cap, ignition key, and working horn for added fun
• Removable floor board protects mom or dad’s feet when pushing
• Molded in push handle in roof
• Clear roof enables mom or dad to see their child when pushing
• Easy maneuverability because of the front castor wheel
• Cup holders for both parent and child

What do you think of the Easy Turn Coupe?