Neighbor to Neighbor Toy Drive

Press Release from

Emboss LLC and Eggers Communication

For Immediate Release

November 11, 2019

Special Event: Neighbor to Neighbor Toy Drive + Wish List for Children in Need

November 4th - December 11th

• Neighbor to Neighbor

• Junior League of Greenwich

• Funky Monkey Toys & Books

Every year Neighbor to Neighbor distributes joy during the holiday season to their client’s children. This year Neighbor to Neighbor will be the beneficiary of the Junior League of Greenwich’s (JLG) and Funky Monkey Toys and Books’ generosity to make the season even brighter. Donations of new, unwrapped toys for newborns through sixteen years old such as LEGOS, dolls, sports items, action figures or gift cards are extremely popular. A collection box for donations will be set up at the JLG headquarters, Funky Monkey and Neighbor to Neighbor.

JLG has a long-standing relationship with Neighbor to Neighbor.  The JLG Baby Bundles Project involves their new member class providing supplies to assist new mothers in welcoming home their newborns. In addition, they have assisted with many food drives to restock the NtN pantry.

Neighbor to Neighbor Toy Wish List for kids in need:

From December 1 - 11, Funky Monkey Toys and Books will offer a special “Neighbor to Neighbor Wish List.” Customers can purchase toys or gift cards for the Neighbor to Neighbor Toy Drive.

One Day Highlight: December 5th, 9:00 am-6:00 pm

20% Off EVERYTHING in the store + 10% of sales donated to Neighbor to Neighbor

at Funky Monkey Toys & Books, 86 Greenwich Ave.

20% OFF Shopping Day at Funky Monkey:

Funky Monkey Toys and Books will hold a special Neighbor to Neighbor shopping day on Thursday, December 5. Every toy in the store will be 20% off, plus an additional 10% will be donated to Neighbor to Neighbor. The store will have extended shopping hours on December 5: 9 am until 7 pm.

Also, shop for your kids and we will GIFT WRAP FOR FREE.

Santa’s Concierge Shopping: Give us your Santa List with ages and we will shop and wrap for you. Santa will even deliver!

Neighbor to Neighbor, Greenwich, CT

About Neighbor to Neighbor:

Neighbor to Neighbor helps to improve the lives of residents in need by creating access to nutritious food, clothing, and basic living essentials. It is hard to believe that 20% of our community cannot afford the basic necessities, but it is true. 28% of Greenwich Public School children qualify for free or subsidized lunches. At Thanksgiving, they give 500 turkeys to their clients. They regularly partner with local businesses and non-profits who sponsor drives for winter coats, diapers, 1,000 new toys at the holidays, gently used prom dresses and nearly 500 backpacks filled with school supplies. www.ntngreenwich.org

Junior League of Greenwich, Greenwich, CT

About The Junior League of Greenwich:

The Junior League of Greenwich is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Some of the current and past projects include: Boys Achieving More (BAM!), Done in a Day, Positively Me!, the Greenwich Pool in Byram Park, the Greenwich Youth Film Festival and many more. www.jlgreenwich.org

Funky Monkey Toys, Greenwich, CT

About Funky Monkey Toys & Books

While new to Greenwich, the Greenman family is far from a new name in the toy business. Impressively, Jared is a 4th generation toy store owner after his great-grandfather, grandfather, and father. His great uncle Nat Greenman is listed as #3 in the Toy Hall of Fame. And Jared's father, Stan Greenman, was the creator and founder of the popular Noodle Kidoodle stores.  "We are excited to bring our family business to the wonderful community of Greenwich," said store owner Jared Greenman. www.funkymonkeytoys.com

Jared Greenman and Stan Greenman (Funky Monkey Toys and Books Owners)

Photo from left to right:

Jared Greenman and Stan Greenman (Funky Monkey Toys and Books Owners)

Photo Credentials: Bob Capazzo

Questions about this event?

Contact: Sue Moretti Bodson

sue@embossllc.com / 203-249-7233

The Toypreneur Family, Behind the Newest, Coolest Toy Store on Greenwich Avenue

by Greenwich Sentinel | Column, News

Imagine growing up not just with a chest full of toys, but totally immersed in the land of play.That was the childhood of Jared Greenman, Funky Monkey Toys & Books owner. He is a fourth generation of “Toypreneurs,” along with his Dad, Stanley Greenman. Stanley’s father, and grandfather were all in the toy business, and his great uncle, Nat Greenman, is listed as #3 in the Toy Hall of Fame.

The Star Trading Company was originally founded by the Greenman family in 1931 as a wholesale company, with a small retail storefront on Ludlow Street in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Star Trading sold a variety of goods, including toys and housewares, from a small warehouse. In the mid-1940s, management was handed over to the second generation, Bernard, Nathan, and Sidney, and the company was renamed Greenman Brothers Inc. continuing to operate on a modest scale through the 1950s. Over the next four decades, Greenman Brothers Inc. thrived as a publicly traded company, selling across the United States.

The toy industry ebbed and flowed with the opening of big box stores and malls. In the 1990’s, they recognized an important void in the toy market. Educational and creative toys were only sold in specialty stores and did not have a broad distribution channel.

Choices for creative playthings, enriching books, better music, and imaginative software were limited and quality items were hard to find. What was needed was a large selection of well-priced, quality products for children, all under one roof. Greenman Brothers opened its first Noodle Kidoodle store in 1993 in Greenvale, New York. “Kids learn best when they’re having fun!”

Noodle Kidoodle would steer clear of the mass-marketed, television-inspired toys and offer what parents were looking for- a mix of creative and education-oriented toys, books, and computer software. Jared grew up in a toy store world. He definitely felt like a fortunate boy. “As a kid, I got all the cool new toys before anyone else. I got to go to the Toy Fair in NYC as a VIP. Jared’s mom was an architect, so he gravitated towards building toys like Lego and Lincoln logs. “It was an environment that helped spawn my imagination and creativity,” shares Greenman. He remembers a family road trip, brainstorming names for what eventually became Noodle Kidoodle. “We came up with all sorts of whacky names. A year later, I saw the big bright letters atop Dad’s new store, and I became obsessed with the notion of turning ideas into reality.” In 2000, the 60 Noodle Kidoodle stores across the country were acquired by Zany Brainy.

But Stanley Greenman wasn’t going to sit still. Once again, he recognized a niche in the toy market- a cool, hip, trendy, exciting neighborhood toy store experience. And where did this name come from? “We wanted to be cool and funky. We were eating Ben and Jerry’s Chunky Monkey ice cream one day and said, ‘Aha! This it is! Funky Monkey!’” And so it began in Greenvale, Long Island 15 years ago. “We wanted to be fresh and different so we chose funky colors, like tangerine mango and lime, instead of the primary colors everyone else was using.”

Until you spread your wings, you have no idea how far you can fly Like father, like son, they are running the newly opened Funky Monkey in Greenwich. But some families believe their post-grad kids should have different real-life experiences instead of leaping right into a family business. After college, Jared started his career working in the NYC tech startup scene. “The first job I took was for a company that helped small businesses increase their online visibility. It was grueling work, and I got cursed out and hung up on more times than I can remember, but it was a valuable experience for me.” The company was acquired by Constant Contact and led Greenman to work for another service oriented tech company. “I dealt with some large companies including Victoria’s Secret and, ironically, Toys R Us.” All of his post-graduate work experience has taught him the value of the customer experience as well as the importance of treating people with honor and respect.

Following his entrepreneurial spirit, Jared has produced two independent feature films with one still in production, starring Molly Ringwald. He also ran an e-commerce business that was born from an Instagram account focused on “Nantucket v. Hamptons,” called @ackvhamps. Town & Country has featured the account: “This Instagram Account Perfectly Sums Up Nantucket and the Hamptons.” Hello, Greenwich! For Jared, toys are such an integral part of growing up in the family business, he couldn’t resist the opportunity to open Funky Monkey in Greenwich with his dad. “Kids love coming into our really fun, colorful toy store. They’ve never seen anything like this. I love seeing the look on the kids faces when they walk in,” Jared is proud to say.“Come with me and you’ll be in a world of pure imagination.” -Willy Wonka

Jared and his father felt this is the right time to expand the 15-year Long Island Funky Monkey to Greenwich. “Greenwich is an extraordinary town unlike any other, and is supportive of local businesses. People are family-focused and parents are active with their kids,” Jared has noticed. “It’s been a great experience for us so far. It’s friendly and upbeat, and everyone has been very welcoming.” Greenman is committed to embracing his new home on the Avenue and the Greenwich community “by aligning with some family focused charitable organizations and planning fun interactive events. The Greenwich store is like my baby, so if you walk by our stretch of the Avenue, you might see me sweeping the sidewalk or washing the windows. Stop by and say what’s up!”

Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting, Saturday, October 26 at 10:00

While Funky Monkey had a soft opening at the end of the summer, their Grand Opening with a Ribbon-Cutting,” is Saturday, October 26 starting at 10:00 am. “There will be free treats all day with karaoke. Come on in and say hello,” invites Jared. Special Appearances by Elsa, Spiderman and our very own Funky Monkey. Ribbon Cutting at 10:00 am with Peter Tesei, Alex Bergstein, Jim Himes, Livvy Floren, and Peter Carlson from the Chamber of Commerce.

Questions? Call Funky Monkey: (203) 769-5884

Grand Opening and Ribbon-Cutting Funky Monkey Toys & Books Greenwich Ave, Greenwich, CT

Greenwich Avenue is about to get a whole lot funkier as Funky Monkey Toys & Books will host a Grand Opening on Saturday, October 26, beginning with a ribbon-cutting at 10 am. Located at 86 Greenwich Avenue, this is the award-winning toy store's second location. The fun and exciting store carries a wide assortment of trendy toys as well as the well-known classics. What sets Funky Monkey apart is their unique merchandise, knowledgeable staff and complimentary gift-wrapping.

Funky Monkey Toys & Books Greenwich, Ave Greenwich, CT

 "We are excited to bring our family business to the wonderful community of Greenwich," said store owner Jared Greenman. "After 15 years of operating Funky Monkey on the north shore of Long Island and perfecting the formula, we decided it was the right time to expand. Greenwich has a bustling downtown, and the demographics are similar to our New York location," explained Greenman. "We were confident that opening on Greenwich Avenue was the right fit for the Funky Monkey brand and that there was a real need for a store like ours. Providing an excellent customer experience is paramount to our business, and we know that it is deeply valued in a place like Greenwich."

Jared Greenman & Stan Greenman (Funky Monkey Toys and Books Owners) Photo Credentials: Bob Capazzo

While new to Greenwich, the Greenman family is far from a new name in the toy business. Impressively, Jared is a 4th generation toy store owner after his great-grandfather, grandfather, and father. His great uncle Nat Greenman is listed as #3 in the Toy Hall of Fame. And Jared's father, Stan Greenman, was the creator and founder of the popular Noodle Kidoodle stores.

To celebrate bringing their beloved family business to Greenwich, Funky Monkey has planned some special activities throughout the day on Saturday, October 26, for kids of all ages, including meet and greet photo opportunities with their Funky Monkey, Spiderman, and Elsa, tattoos, music and kid karaoke. Specialty refreshments will be served, including monkey cake pops, chocolate dipped Oreos, chocolate dipped pretzels, cookies, and Rice Krispie treats. Refreshments and giveaways will be available while supplies last.

"We are looking forward to celebrating our arrival to the Avenue, especially during Experience Greenwich," added Greenman. More information about Funky Monkey Toys & Books in Greenwich can be found on their Instagram @funkymonkeyct and on their website ([https://www.funkymonkey.toys) Funky Monkey is open Monday – Saturday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, and Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Questions? Contact: Sue Moretti Bodson

sue@embossllc.com

203-249-7233