Glowforge Project Print-A-Toy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE [GLOWFORGE HQ, USA] - Dan Shapiro, CEO of Glowforge, has called on the company’s community to join in a heartfelt initiative this holiday season. The image of kids opening delightful presents for the holidays is iconic, but sadly, it's not the reality for all. Recognizing this, Glowforge is kick-starting the season of giving with their Project Print-A-Toy, aiming to have 100,000 toys created and donated to children in need. This initiative transcends the Glowforge community; every creator, every maker, every crafter is invited. Using Glowforge’s free toy designs or their own creations, the global creative community is invited to spread joy to disadvantaged children this holiday season. Handcrafted horses, custom games and laser-made jewelry are just a few of the gifts that community members will be making. Shapiro, CEO and father of 15-year-old twins, says, "In a year when we could use some magic, let's create it together. Let's take this opportunity to show what happens when we come together to do something special for our communities.” The scale of the issue can feel daunting, and Shapiro doesn't sugarcoat it. "According to 2022 census data, the number of kids in poverty more than doubled from last year. Right now, more than 10% of kids in the US are in homes that struggle to provide food, clothing, and shelter. That doesn't leave much room for holiday magic." Project Print-A-Toy is a simple and effective way to make a difference. Each week, Glowforge will share free toy designs and discounted materials to help makers start their creative engines. Glowforge encourages people to donate their gifts to national nonprofit Toys for Tots, as well as to local children’s hospitals, family shelters, and food banks: "Every gift, for every child, will help bring a little holiday magic,” said Shapiro. The company is known for their successful community projects. In 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Glowforge and their crafty community united to create over three million Ear Savers for frontline workers. Now, Glowforge is setting sights on a new ambitious goal – 100,000 donated toys. “We've done incredible things together before, and I'm excited for what we can do this holiday season. I'm optimistic about the future we can create for our communities together," said Shapiro. The challenge: to bring the magic of the holidays into homes where it may feel like a distant dream. Creators are invited to get involved by visiting www.glowforge.com/print-a-toy ________________________________________ For more information, please contact: Michelle Hart michelle.hart@glowforge.com About Glowforge: Glowforge is the creator of the award-winning 3D laser printer that cuts, engraves, and scores hundreds of materials so you can make magical things. It was founded in 2015 by Chief Executive Officer, Dan Shapiro and Chief Technology Officer, Mark Gosselin, and launched with the world’s largest crowdfunding campaign, raising more than $27 million in pre-orders in 30 days. The company has since secured more than $115 million in funding from some of Silicon Valley’s most prominent investors including the Foundry Group, True Ventures, DFJ Growth, and Revolution Growth. Unlike 3D printers that use additive technology to build objects out of plastic, Glowforge uses subtractive technology to laser cut, engrave, and score products from beautiful materials like wood, leather, acrylic, paper, fabric – even chocolate. A sleek and efficient design makes this industrial-grade technology beautiful and affordable while its cloud-based app makes it easy for anyone to create magical things at the touch of a button.