ST. LOUIS, Nov. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Build-A-Bear
Foundation today affirmed its commitment to helping children and
families achieve their best futures through its mission to add a
little more heart to life by sharing hugs, inspiring creativity,
and supporting those in need. As Build-A-Bear enters its
25th year, the Foundation is honored to announce a
partnership with First Book, the largest online community of
educators serving kids living in poverty, supporting their mission
to build a path out of poverty through educational equity. The
partnership is part of a renewed focus on childhood literacy
efforts, while continuing to deliver teddy bear hugs and financial
support to those in need.
To kickoff this partnership, Build-A-Bear Foundation has a goal
to donate at least 125,000 books through First Book in 2022.
Guests can contribute to this effort by adding a donation to their
purchase in-store and online as well as with the purchase of a new
furry friend, which will be introduced later in 2022.
"We are honored to be working with First Book in support of
their critical mission and are inspired by their commitment to
supporting children and building opportunities," said Voin Todorovic, Build-A-Bear Foundation Board
President. "We have a great history of partnership with First
Book and are thrilled to renew this friendship to deliver books to
children around the country."
"First Book is pleased to celebrate this milestone anniversary
with Build-A-Bear in a way that honors the company's commitment to
children in need across the country," said Kyle Zimmer, President, CEO and Co-founder of
First Book. "For many years, our work together has brought joy and
opportunity to so many children in need, and we couldn't be happier
to continue that tradition. We are very grateful for their ongoing
support."
Build-A-Bear knows the importance of getting involved,
being there for those in need, and using its resources to give
back. GIVE is one of Build-A-Bear's core values and has
been a key element of the brand since it was founded twenty-four
years ago. Since its formation in 2004, Build-A-Bear
Foundation has contributed more than $22
million and 1.5 million furry friends to charitable
organizations around the world.
Follow the work of Build-A-Bear Foundation on Instagram
@buildabearfoundation.
ABOUT BUILD-A-BEAR®
Build-A-Bear is a
multi-generational global brand focused on its mission to "add a
little more heart to life" appealing to a wide array of consumer
groups who enjoy the personal expression in making their own "furry
friends" to celebrate and commemorate life moments. Nearly 500
interactive brick-and-mortar retail locations operated through a
variety of formats provide guests of all ages a hands-on
entertaining experience, which often fosters a lasting and
emotional brand connection. The company also offers an engaging
e-commerce/digital purchasing experience called the "Bear-Builder"
at www.buildabear.com. In addition, extending its brand power
beyond retail, Build-A-Bear Entertainment, a subsidiary of
Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc., is dedicated to creating engaging
content for kids and adults that fulfills the company's mission,
while the company also offers products at wholesale and in
non-plush consumer categories via licensing agreements with leading
manufacturers. Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (NYSE: BBW) posted total
revenue of $255.3 million in fiscal
2020. For more information, visit the Investor Relations section of
buildabear.com.
ABOUT FIRST BOOK
Founded in Washington, D.C., in 1992 as a 501(c)3
nonprofit social enterprise, First Book is a leader in the
educational equity field. Over its 29-year history, First Book has
distributed more than 200 million books and educational resources,
with a retail value of more than $2 billion. First Book believes
education offers children in need the best path out of poverty.
First Book breaks down barriers to quality education by providing
its Network of more than 525,000 registered teachers, librarians,
after school program leaders, and others serving children in need
with millions of free and affordable new, high-quality books,
educational resources, and basic needs items through the
award-winning First Book Marketplace nonprofit eCommerce site. The
First Book Network comprises the largest and fastest-growing
community of formal and informal educators serving children in
need.
First Book also expands the breadth and depth of the education
field through a family of social enterprises, including First Book
Research & Insights, its proprietary research initiative, and
the First Book Accelerator, which brings best-in-class
research-based strategies to the classroom via relevant, usable
educator resources. First Book Impact Funds target support to areas
of need, such as rural communities or increasing diversity in
children's books.
For more information, visit firstbook.org or follow
the latest news
on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
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SOURCE Build-A-Bear Foundation