Who knew that Bruce Lund was so much more than TMX Elmo?

November 8, 2009

Full disclosure: Bruce Lund is a friend of mine. I was therefore extremely pleased when I heard that he was receiving an award at this year’s TAGIE Awards banquet in Chicago on November 20. I was even more surprised, however, to learn that it was a Humanitarian Award he was receiving. I knew he was a great inventor and great guy but had no idea he had done such important charitable work.

Here is a partial list of the charities Bruce has supported: The Children Affected by AIDS Foundation, Safe Passage Project/Camino Seguro in Guatemala City, Lutheran Child and Family Service Foundation, The Path Recovery Center for Women, Meals on Wheels, American Red Cross, Greater Chicago Food Depository, Unicef, Heifer International, Special Olympics, Toys for Tots, Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation, Southwest Indian Foundation, the Red Cross, Tuesdays Child Family Services, Hephzibah Children’s Association, and the Toy Industry Foundation.

Bruce is a great inventor having created TMX Elmo (Fisher-Price), which sold more in its first day than any toy in history. He and his company, Lund and Company Invention, also invented Vac-Man(Cap Toys), Baby Alive Sip n Slurp (Hasbro), Tumble Time Tigger (Fisher-Price), Color Etch A Sketch (Ohio Art), Honey My Baby Pony (Vivid Imagination) and many, many more.

So, congratulations Bruce! What an impressive effort on your part and what a model of service, hard work and creativity you have produced for all of us to emulate.

Posted by Richard Gottlieb on November 8, 2009 | Comments (6)

November 17, 2009

In response to: Who knew that Bruce Lund was so much more than TMX Elmo?
Dana Campagna Lanham commented:

Congratulations Bruce. Not only do you create wonderful entertainment for children, you also give them opportunities they may never have had without your help. I am happy to say I have worked on a few of your products and now they have even more meaning.

November 10, 2009

In response to: Who knew that Bruce Lund was so much more than TMX Elmo?
Mary Couzin commented:

Bruce is one of the most amazing people I know and I am blessed to know many amazing people. Congrats on well deserved honor! Thank you for making a difference in so many lives.

November 9, 2009

In response to: Who knew that Bruce Lund was so much more than TMX Elmo?
Ann Hynecek commented:

What a wonderful and appropriate honor for Bruce. I am thrilled to know and work with someone who is so inspired to give back to so many people. Congrats!

November 9, 2009

In response to: Who knew that Bruce Lund was so much more than TMX Elmo?
bruce lund commented:

Could there have been a shortage of candidates? I am honored, and humbled. There are so many who do so much, and I do so little, but am grateful for the chance to help. I would like to say thank you to the countless generous donors who have helped up provide toys, game and happiness for over 20 years to the deserving 'Littles" of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Chicagoland. You guys are great! And thank you Richard,

November 9, 2009

In response to: Who knew that Bruce Lund was so much more than TMX Elmo?
Kim Vandenbroucke commented:

Sounds like a very fitting honor for Bruce to receive the Humanitarian Award at the TAGIES. Congrats Bruce!

November 9, 2009

In response to: Who knew that Bruce Lund was so much more than TMX Elmo?
Cassie McQueeny-Tankard commented:

I have known Bruce Lund for many years, and this award is truly fitting. Not only has he been a champion of the toy industry for more than 30 years, but he follows his personal mantra that the true meaning of life is to make a difference in the lives of others. Thank you to ChiTAG and the TAGIE Awards for honoring Bruce with this wonderful award!