Members of the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) who participated in the first annual Holidash event clocked more than 4.5 million  steps during the busy holiday season, ASTRA announced today. The event—an activity of the ASTRA Foundation—was launched on Neighborhood Toy Store Day on November 9 th and ran through December 31.

Dee Farrell, ASTRA’s immediate past Board Chair, was the highest stepper with nearly one million steps.

Other winners, randomly drawn from those reaching each step level, are:

• 500,000+ Steps: Sari Wiaz of Baby Paper
• 250,000+ Steps Winner of Beth Schmiedel of Hobby Express Inc.
• 10,000+ Steps Winner of Scott Friedland of Timeless Toys

“The ASTRA Foundation’s mission is to support play across the lifespan,” said Kimberly Mosley, president of ASTRA. “Holidash is a playful way to live this mission while supporting the Foundation with participant registration fees. This activity was a fun way to introduce playful competition among ASTRA and increase awareness of the Foundation’s work. Thanks to all who took the challenge!”

American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) was founded in 1992, and is an international not-for-profit trade organization that develops and supports a membership of independent retailers, manufacturers and sales representatives in the toy industry. Inspired to change the world through the power of play, ASTRA is a community of dedicated professionals committed to providing children with healthy, quality play materials that have a high play value and are designed with a focus on what the child can do, rather than what the toy can do.

Through its Foundation, ASTRA has made a strategic and financial commitment to increase and intensify its impact, influence and advocacy relating to the power of play across the lifespan. In its inaugural year, the ASTRA Foundation focused its efforts on local philanthropic activities. For more information, visit www.astratoyfoundation.org.