In 2000, two members of the Society of Plastics Engineers' Detroit chapter — Don Root of Uniplas Inc. and Bob Fischer of American Plastic Toys Inc. — brainstormed an idea for the section to collaborate on a toy donation. The toys would be buses, trucks or cars with stickers honoring the Plastivan educational program. Other SPE members quickly signed on and have continued to support the annual program since then.
This year marks the 13th year SPE has donated 30,000 toys to local charities. Since the program began, SPE has donated more than 420,000 toys, which would be worth more than $1 million at stores.
Watch this video report on the program, produced by Plastics News staff reporter Rhoda Miel.