Children’s Museum Fundraiser to take a hit

Children’s Museum Fundraiser to take a hit

April 14, 2009 10:49 PM EDT

MADISON (WKOW) — Every summer for the past 21 years thousands of collectors, parents, and children come to Middleton from all over the country to buy American Girl dolls and accessories at discount prices.

For event goers it’s a bargain. For The Madison Children’s Museum, it’s a financial lifeline

“It’s about a 1/3 of our budget and the great thing about it is that it offers unrestricted support,” says the Museum’s Director of Development Jenni Collins.

The event raises about a million dollars annually and half goes directly to the museum. The other half to children’s charities.

But new federal consumer product safety guidelines aimed at keeping kids safe mean this fundraiser will likely take a big financial hit this year.

“The federal law was set up to remove lead from children’s toys and that extends to the sale of toys and the sale of used toys and clothing,” says Wisconsin Consumer Protection Director Jim Rabbitt.

“American girl is being very conservative about what products they put in our hands, and what products we repair and resell,” Collins says.

Which means this year; no furniture, accessories or clothing for girls. Just dolls and books.

Since there is not as much to sell this year, the traditionally weekend long event will only last one day.

“we anticipate the people, knowing it’s a one day sale, may not to travel as far, but we are hoping that local shoppers, folks here in the Madison region can take advantage of the sale,” Collins says.

Event organizers already expect revenue to take a hit with the changes this year, but are still optimistic.

That’s because they still have their main attraction.

“It’s important to remember that it’s the reason why collectors, children and their parents come out to this event because they love those dolls,” Collins says.

The dolls make up for more than half of the cash sales at the event.

The one day sale will have extended hours, running from 7am-5pm.

The museum also has other events planned to help lessen the financial blow.

They will be holding a fundraising party the day before the sale and plan to have vendors selling doll accessories and other crafts outside of the warehouse.

The museum will also no longer sell tickets through Tickets.com.

They will be selling the tickets themselves.

For up to date information about the Annual Benefit Sale of American Girl Returns and Seconds, log onto the museum’s website at www.madisonchilrensmuseum.org

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