ST. LOUIS – September 13, 2007 -The Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation is awarding $109,165 in cash grants to 22 children’s health and wellness programs across the United States. The grants are funded with the help of Champ-A Champion Fur Kids, a furry friend available in all Build A Bear Workshop(R) stores. With the sale of each Champ, one dollar is donated through the Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation to organizations and programs that help children by researching childhood diseases, promoting child safety, and serving children with special needs. Champ’s children’s health & wellness grants are awarded twice annually following review by the Board of Directors of the Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation.
“We are proud to partner with Build-A-Bear Workshop Guests to help these organizations make the world a healthier and happier place for kids and families,” said Matt Oldani, manager of the Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation.
Grant recipients include:
To underwrite the expenses of a summer camp for children with chronic disabilities
To fund a week of camp for 20 grieving children and teens in the St. Louis area
To fund the expenses of a camp for children with cancer or affected by cancer
To fund a field trip to New Orleans for children with cancer
To fund speech and language therapy for children from low-income backgrounds
To purchase baseball equipment for children with special needs
To provide funding for psychiatric care for severely disturbed children and young adults
To fund summer programs for children with speech, languages, motor, and sensory disabilities
To fund the construction of a ropes course for children with disabilities
To underwrite the expenses of an art therapy program for children with cancer
To underwrite the expense of a child safety program
To fund clown visits to kids at Franciscan Hospital for Children
To purchase car seats for the working poor in South West Ohio
To provide scholarships for two children to attend a summer camp for young individuals with cancer
To provide funding for cribs for infants in the Philadelphia area
To underwrite the expense of a summer camp for children with Ectodermal Dysplasia
To underwrite the expenses of a summer camp for burn survivors
To underwrite the expenses of interim care for drug-exposed infants
To fund a summer camp for children with developmental disabilities
To fund a treatment program for children who have been abused
To provide funding for the construction of a ropes course
To fund a camp for children with severe emotional and behavioral disorders
About Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation
Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation is committed to making life more bearable for children, families, and pets in need of a helping paw. The Foundation makes grants to qualified non-profit organizations that support the health and wellness of children, families, the care and welfare of animals, the preservation of the environment, and the promotion of literacy and education for all. Visit www.buildabear.com for more information.
About Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.
Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc., is the only global company that offers an interactive make-your-own stuffed animal retail-entertainment experience. Founded in St. Louis in 1997, the company currently operates more than 290 stores in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland. The addition of franchise stores in Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia make Build-A-Bear Workshop the leader in interactive retail. In November 2004, the company expanded the make-your-own concept from stuffed animals to dolls with the opening of its first friends 2B made(R) stores, where Guests can make their own doll friends. In April 2006, Build-A-Bear Workshop acquired The Bear Factory Limited and Amsbra, Ltd. adding company-owned stores in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE: BBW) posted total revenue of $437 million in fiscal 2006. For more information, call 888.560.BEAR (2327) or visit the company’s award-winning Web sites at www.buildabear.com and www.friends2bmade.com.
