REAL HEROES

Mattel launches a new line of pandemic-era superheroes: The essential worker

Health care workers and other essential personnel on the front l i nes during the coronavirus pandemic are considered heroes. Now Mattel is making it official with a new l i ne of action figures and toys.

T h e B a r b i e a n d H o t Wheels toymaker has a new roster of #ThankYouHeroes Fisher-Price action figures and Little People figurines starring doctors, nurses, emergency medical technicians, grocery workers and delivery drivers. The toys, available for preorder now through May 31 at www. mattel.com/en-us/playroom-thankyouheroes, are expected to ship to consumers by year's end.

The 16 action figures ($20 each) of doctors, nurses, EMTs and delivery drivers come i n various genders and skin colors. In addition to the action figures, FisherPrice is also offering a special five-character Little People set (also $20) of a doctor, nurse, EMT, grocery store worker and delivery driver.

The net proceeds ( $ 1 5) from each sale will go to #FirstRespondersFirst, an effort to support health care first responders started last month by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Hea l t h , wel l n e s s g r o u p Thrive Global and the CAA Foundation, t he philanthropic arm of talent firm the Creative Arts Agency.

Mattel's Fisher-Price “is an iconic brand and the products speak to something deep inside of us,” Thrive Global CEO Arianna Huffington told USA TODAY. “It's wonderful to see that connection bringing joy to the children but also giving all of us one more way t o honor ( t he frontline responders). I don't think we can have enough ways to honor them.”