As part of the 15th birthday celebration of Build-A-Bear Workshop®, the leader in interactive retail, over 25,000 stuffed animals will be made and donated to children who might not otherwise receive gifts this holiday season. During the special weekend of October 20 – 21, Build-A-Bear Workshop invites the first 100 Guests in all of its U.S. stores to make a stuffed animal for free to donate to the Marine Toys for Tots® Foundation to distribute to kids in need in communities across the country. Stuffed with Hugs® is a core program of Build-A-Bear Workshop in its eleventh year and the weekend event is part of a variety of activities celebrating the company’s 15th birthday.
“We are a company with heart and Stuffed with Hugs is a way to give children the opportunity to give back. As we celebrate our birthday, we also commemorate 15 years of giving back to important causes around the world,” said Maxine Clark, Build-A-Bear Workshop founder and chief executive bear. “We are especially pleased to partner with Cody Simpson and Toys for Tots for this special Stuffed with Hugs weekend and to provide our Guests with the opportunity to brighten kids’ holidays with teddy bear hugs.”
Participants in Stuffed with Hugs weekend will be able to meet Build-A-Bear Workshop mascot, Bearemy®, and enjoy a variety of 15th birthday celebration activities. As a thank you for helping, Stuffed with Hugs participants will receive a bounce back coupon for a future visit.
“Every child deserves to celebrate the holidays,” said Cody Simpson, who is kicking off the Stuffed with Hugs weekend by making stuffed animals with Marine families in New York City at the Build-A-Bear Workshop store on Fifth Avenue. “As a longtime Build-A-Bear Workshop fan, it is an honor to support this opportunity to encourage kids to help other kids and send a message of comfort and hope through a hug of a teddy bear.”
“With the generous support of Build-A-Bear Workshop, we will be able to fulfill the holiday dreams of thousands of less fortunate children,” said Osman.
Stuffed with Hugs will take place during regular store hours and U.S. Marines may be on hand to collect the stuffed animals. To learn more about Stuffed with Hugs weekend activities or to find a store in your area, visit buildabear.com®.
Build-A-Bear Workshop and its associates believe in the teddy bear philosophy of being good people and good bears. Throughout its 15-year history, the company has shared the hug of a teddy bear wherever needed in local communities and abroad. Build-A-Bear Workshop has given Guests a voice in supporting the causes that are important to them like children’s health and wellness, animals, and literacy, and has given nearly $31 million through its corporate donations and foundation grant programs to these causes.
That is why I support them!
Disclosure: I received a gift card (look for the giveaway soon!) and a signed Cody Simpson Build-A-Bear! Woo-hoo! All opinions are 100% honest and my own.
And of course:
This is just so awesome! Toys for Tots is such a great cause. I had no idea Build a Bear was doing this and other programs like it, now I have even more reason to shop there!
I had no idea how generous Build a Bear is as an organization. What’s not to love about Teddy Bears?! My kids love Build a Bear. Thanks for sharing.