Malibuite Nancy Butner is banking on friends in the community to help her continue her efforts to bring smiles to the faces of children around the world. Through the International Toy Bank, which Butner founded a year ago, she gathers toys and educational materials to distribute to children in need and victims of war and disaster.
One friend who has withdrawn from Butner’s “bank” is a person who travels extensively himself to help bring joy to children everywhere.
Patch Adams, whose story is featured in the Robin William’s film “Patch,” said he is a “client” of Butner’s. On a trip to Africa to serve refugees, “I called up my toy banker and she sent toys,” said Adams.
Adams will attend a fundraising dinner on May 21 at Granitas restaurant in Malibu, with chef Jennifer Naylor donating her cooking skills, The Reel Inn providing fish, and Stone Creek Wines serving up refreshments to benefit the International Toy Bank.
The toy bank is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization.
“I’ve worked for other foundations and I realized as a fundraiser and director of other foundations that they squander a lot of money,” said Butner, explaining why she founded the toy bank. “Not enough gets to the children.”
Butner delivers the supplies herself, traveling all over the world to such places as Nepal, Haiti, Brazil and Romania. Shipping a million toys a year and the operational costs of running the warehouse in Ventura where she stores the toys is an expensive undertaking, which is why Butner is having the fundraiser.
“Her project is a beautiful project,” said Adams. “That’s why I’m coming out there [to Malibu], I just love what she does.
“She puts her heart and soul [into the bank] that she has mostly funded herself,” he said. “I’m trying to help her so she has a greater capability.”
To help gather other supplies for her trips, Butner trades toys with other foundations for blankets, clothing and medical supplies. She also goes on missions with other foundations to help out. In June, Butner was planning to go with Adams on a trip to Poland, but the trip is postponed for now as the woman who organized the trip is ill.
Local resident Anne Hoffman met Butner a couple of years ago at a Toys for Tots charity event.
“I’m incredibly amazed at her selflessness,” said Hoffman. “She’s literally given out millions of toys all over the world. She’s very quiet about it and does it out of a true conviction to help all these people.
“It’s a cause worth supporting,” continued Hoffman. “She’s very frugal. All the money goes to the toys and the kids.”
Butner is already on her next trip; she left on April 24 for Katmandu, taking school supplies, clothing, shoes, blankets and medical supplies to clinics in the Himalayas. She also plans to take on a much more personal responsibility–Butner will adopt an 8-year-old girl, Chanda, who lives in an orphanage in Katmandu.
“We just connected,” said Butner, about Chanda. “She’s a great kid. I would love to give her a chance.”
Butner, who has worked as a professional photographer, has done foundation work for many years. The International Toy Bank is now a full-time venture for her.
“I just wanted to make a difference,” said Butner, as to why she does what she does.
The dinner at Granitas is from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Products from Osea skincare have been donated for goodie bags, and paintings from local artists and other items will be auctioned.