Build-a-Bear Workshop – A Partner to Charities

 

Since 1902, when President Teddy Roosevelt showed compassion for a captured bear by refusing to shoot him, Build-a-Bear Workshop has continued to show a compassionate heart through charitable organizations with their teddy bears. The Teddy Bear has been a symbol of comfort for more than 100 years. The company believes that there is no better symbol of human compassion for others less fortunate than the teddy bear.

 

* Please watch the video tour of the Build-a-Bear Workshop at the bottom of this post.

 

Most of us are aware of the Build-a-Bear Workshop retail store where the young and not-so-young are given all the materials needed in order to build their own teddy bear. A large variety of teddy bears and other stuffed animals are the basis for building your own unique bear along with hundreds of choices in clothing and accessories. The workshop has become the place to have birthday parties where friends gather together to celebrate and build a teddy bear to remember the occasion.

 

Not many of us are aware that Build-a-Bear Workshop has partnered with charitable organizations to bring about awareness to a cause to encourage participation or donations. Charities have learned that by offering a premium as a thank you gift often increases response to requests for donations.

 

Build-a-Bear and Habitat for Humanity

 

One of the charities that Build-a-Bear Workshop felt the call to partner with is Habitat for Humanity International. Habitat for Humanity is a Christian-based organization that builds new homes or renovates homes for low-income families. The homes are sold with no interest charged and at no profit. The physical work is done by volunteers and materials are supplied through donations.

 

Build-a-Bear Workshop designed a teddy bear named “Sawyer” whose name was inspired by the saws used to build and renovate homes. Sawyer is a cute, 12-inch golden bear filled with beans making him particularly huggable and he’s sent to people who respond to the request for a donation. Sawyer wears a red t-shirt with the words, “Home Sweet Home” written on the front.

 

Response to direct solicitations for donations were not where they needed to be before Habitat began offering Sawyer as an incentive. Sawyer represents to the donor the love and compassion shown to those needing shelter and especially to children who will be living in those new homes.

 

Save the Children partners with Build-a-Bear

 

Save the Children is the latest charity that has partnered with the company to raise funds for children. An American Idol celebrity, David Archuleta, contributed a song entitled, “Let’s Talk About Love,” that was written especially for Build-a-Bear.

 

This latest fund raiser, “Love, Hugs, Peace” encourages young bear makers to sign onto the Build-a-Bear website and donate $1 to Save the Children as a show of love for children in need around the world. Earlier in the year each donor received a free download of “Let’s Talk About Love.” More than 38,000 young bear lovers downloaded the song in the first three weeks.

 

Build-a-Bear offers a t-shirt for the teddy bears with “Love, Hugs, Peace” written on the front. The company is donating 25 cents for every t-shirt purchased to Save the Children.

 

The saying goes, “Charity begins at home.” Build-a-Bear Workshop sets an example for all of us to remember the people who are experiencing less than desirable circumstances in their lives. We can all help Build-a-Bear Workshop help those less fortunate by becoming donors to the causes they support.

 

Here is the link to the Build-a-Bear website www.buildabear.com.

 

And here is the video tour of the Build-a-Bear Workshop I promised at the top of this post. It’s pretty funny, Enjoy!