Jan 6, 2015

Bruce S. Raiffe Elected to National Museum of Play Board of Trustees

The Strong® (National Museum of Play) is pleased to announce the election of Bruce S. Raiffe of Edison, N.J. to its Board of Trustees. Raiffe — president of GUND inc., a subsidiary of Enesco LLC and preeminent plush toy manufacturer — has nearly 40 years of experience in the toy industry.

Throughout Raiffe’s tenure at GUND, beginning in 1977, he has focused on the significance of soft toys to the happiness and development of children.

“Being on the board is a great honor,” says Raiffe. “It allows me to share my passion for the soft toy industry, while also gaining insight into the excellent research and academics coming from The Strong. I hope to share my own expertise, while learning new ways to make soft toys and imaginative play a positive contribution to every child’s life.”

Raiffe holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and accounting/economics from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. He has served on many nonprofit and community boards, including the Cerebral Palsy Association of Middlesex County, the New Jersey Public Broadcasting Station, and the Wilmington Trust Company Business Advisory Council. He lives with his wife in Edison, N.J.

About The Strong

The Strong is the only collections-based museum in the world devoted solely to play. It is home to the International Center for the History of Electronic Games, the National Toy Hall of Fame, the Brian Sutton-Smith Library and Archives of Play, Woodbury School, and the American Journal of Play and houses the world’s largest and most comprehensive collection of historical materials related to play. Known widely as the nation’s museum of play, The Strong blends the best features of both history museums (extensive collections) and children’s museums (high interactivity) to explore the ways in which play encourages learning, creativity, and discovery and illuminates cultural history.

About GUND

GUND®, a division of Enesco, LLC, is known worldwide for its top quality, soft, and huggable plush designs and gift products. Award-winning GUND products appeal to all ages, from infants up, and are perfect for both play and collecting. The 116-year old company is based in Edison, New Jersey, and distributes throughout the United States and Canada as well as in Europe, Japan, Australia, and South America. GUND products may be found in gift, specialty, toy, book, museum, and department stores as well as many other retail outlets. To find your nearest retailer or to purchase directly please visit www.gund.com.