Toxic Toys: From Our Homes to Their Offices

Mission accomplished.  With toy contributions from several urbanMamas, we delivered a potent message to our two U.S. Senators (Gordon Smith and Ron just-had-twins Wyden) and Rep. Blumenauer yesterday.  The idea of delivering unsafe toys culled from our own homes along with a strong written message that we won't stand for this anymore has been kicking around for awhile in our minds.  The recent recall of aqua dots forced us into action - thanks, Tony, for getting us up off the couch!

Attractively arranged in sweet gift bags from long-passed birth gifts, we piled the plastics - little cars,  broken tape players, blocks, bath sponges, and more.  They spilled over the top - like an overstuffed stocking.  We included a letter that you can send, too.  Just download, print, and send it in - or hand deliver it.  Just knowing where their offices are and having escalated my involvement from e-mailing and letter writing felt good - really good.  Though I confess that the actual moments of delivery weren't quite what I had expected.  Of course, having never delivered one thing to a legislator's office, what did I know? 

All bags were handed quietly to staff.  Anti-climactic is how I'd describe it.  Definitely no bra burning, mamas.  And truth be told, at Sen. Wyden's office I even clarified that I didn't mean to insult him given by passing along my toxic toys given the recent birth of his twins (so Portland, so nice).  Though perhaps with two future chewers on his hands, this issue will resonate with him a bit more.

Join the Fun!  You, too, can deliver your toys, as we did. When they wonder what to do with them, they will get a taste of how we feel.  Their addresses are below, and the letter to stick in the bag is, too.  Or, if you're free on Tuesday, 11.12 from 10:30- Noon, head over to Finnegan's downtown to see what Rep. Darlene Hooley has to say about all this toxic toy stuff.  She's been on this issue for a while now, recently calling for the resignation of CPSC director Nancy Nord (go Darlene!).  There will be free lead testing for any toys you bring in, too.  Please let us know what she says and how it goes.  We're all ears.

To see if Hooley is your Representative in Congress (she represents the portions of Portland in the 5th District; Blumenauer represents the 3rd District), just type in your zip code.

• Senator Smith, One World Trace Center, 121 SW Salmon, Suite 1520, Portland, OR 97204
• Senator Wyden, 1220 SW 3rd Avenue, Suite 585, Portland, OR 97204
• Rep. Earl Blumenauer, 729 NE Oregon Street, Suite 115, Portland, OR 97232

Download take_these_toxic_toys_ltr_to_us_leg.doc

 

Comments

[Hau]

Thanks for doing this, Lisa! It seems these creative ways of sending a statement feels like it could be more memorable. Maybe at some point Wyden will point to the fact it was when some concerned mom in Portland gave him a basket of plastic toys and that turned him the corner on the issue? Very optimistic thinking, but I think every bit counts!

[Lisa]

I FINALLY got a reply on this. Wow, took awhile. Sen. Wyden wrote me a letter (still nothing from Blumenauer and Smith, who got the very same letter and bag of toys on the very same day way back on 11/9). Wyden assured me that he, too, has concerns about our trade relationship with China. He told me that China has announced a 4-month campaign to improve consumer product quality. End of story. No other action mentioned. I'm feeling loads better already, mamas - you too? I sure hope someone is prepared to do somethig more than hope that China's 4-month campaign is successful. I actually feel worse after receiving this letter than I did when I dropped off the toys. Not heartening. What next, mamas, what next?

[LTF]

Yippee! Got another letter - this one from Gordon Smith - just this week! He thanked me for my concerns regarding toxic toys and promised to keep my thoughts in mind should 'these matters' come before the Congress for consideration. I guess one can't expect a whole lot more from a reply letter,and it the Congress did actually 'consider' and DO something about this, I wouldn't really care. Anyway. Just reporting out. Can't sleep. Maybe it was that 5 PM coffee?? As my son loves to say, "Smooth move, Mama." Good night... I hope!

PS - I changed my 'handle' from Lisa to LTF. So many Lisa's out there in my generation!

[mardi]

{Sigh} One in three toys from the big chain stores tested by researchers was found to be toxic.

http://money.cnn.com/2008/12/03/news/companies/toxic_toys/?postversion=2008120317

[RothEmma]

It's cool that we can receive the home loans moreover, this opens up new chances.