ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May. 23, 2013--
Build-A-Bear
Workshop® announced today initiatives to provide support
for children and families affected by the tornado that devastated Moore,
OK and surrounding areas earlier this week. The company is inviting its
Guests to share the hug of a teddy bear through several initiatives.
Nationally, Guests can donate $1 or more to the American Red Cross at
Build-A-Bear Workshop stores or online at buildabear.com.
In Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Guests can make bears for local children
affected by the tornado. Additionally, the Build-A-Bear Workshop
Foundation has contributed $2,500 to DonorsChoose.org for a specially
directed teacher program to rebuild the schools in Oklahoma that were
hit hardest by the storm and replenish classroom supplies in the
upcoming months of recovery.
Beginning Friday, May 24, the company is launching this special effort
to help the families and children affected by the storms. Through June
2, Guests can donate $1 or more at checkout in any United States
Build-A-Bear Workshop retail location or online at buildabear.com
to benefit the American Red Cross. A gift to the American Red Cross will
help people affected by the Oklahoma tornado and other disasters around
the country.
“Our hearts and hugs go out to the victims and their families affected
by this terrible tragedy,” said Maxine Clark, Build-A-Bear Workshop
founder and chief executive bear. “It is during these most difficult
times that we are reminded of the comfort a teddy bear can bring. We
would like to thank the many Guests who have contacted us to support
Oklahoma with their contributions and efforts. We are proud to work
together to make a difference and provide relief where it is needed the
most during this difficult time.”
Build-A-Bear Workshop is hosting Stuffed with Hugs® (SWH),
its signature bear-making event, for those in need of a teddy bear hug
at its stores in Penn Square Mall, Oklahoma City and Woodland Hills
Mall, TulsaSaturday, May 25 through Monday, May 27. The first 250
Guests in each store will have the opportunity to make special bears for
free to be donated to the children and families affected by the tornado.
In addition, anyone who wishes to purchase a stuffed animal to donate to
the SWH effort will be given a 10% service project discount. The company
will continue collecting bears at these locations through Memorial Day,
May 27.
Build-A-Bear Workshop believes in the teddy bear philosophy of being
good people and good bears. Since its inception in 1997, the company has
shared the hug of a teddy bear wherever needed in local communities and
abroad. Build-A-Bear Workshop gives Guests opportunities to support the
causes that are important to them and through its corporate donations
and foundation grant programs, has given more than $40 million to
children’s health and wellness, animals, literacy and other important
causes.
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. There are more than 400 Build-A-Bear Workshop stores
worldwide, including company-owned stores in the U.S., Puerto Rico,
Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland, and franchise stores in Europe,
Asia, Australia, Africa, the Middle East, Mexico and South America.
Founded in St. Louis in 1997, Build-A-Bear Workshop is the leader in
interactive retail. Brands include make-your-own Major League Baseball®
mascot in-stadium locations, and Build-A-Dino® stores.
Build-A-Bear Workshop extends its in-store interactive experience online
with its award winning virtual world website at bearville.com™.
The company was named to the FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For®
list for the fifth year in a row in 2013. Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:
BBW) posted total revenue of $380.9 million in fiscal 2012. For more
information, call 888.560.BEAR (2327) or visit the company's
award-winning website at buildabear.com®.
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TRADEMARKS
We would like to thank you for your interest in covering our business.
As you write your story, we would ask that you use our full name:
Build-A-Bear Workshop® and that when referencing the process
of making stuffed animals you use the word “make” not “build”.
Build-A-Bear Workshop is our well-known trade name and our registered
trademark of Build-A-Bear Retail Management, Inc.Build-A-Bear Workshop®
should only be used in capital letters to refer to our products and
services and should not be used as a verb.
Source: Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.
Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.
Shannon Lammert, 314-423-8000, ext. 5379
Cell:
314-556-8841
ShannonL@buildabear.com
or
Jill
Saunders, 314-423-8000, ext. 5293
Cell: 314-422-4523
JillS@buildabear.com
