ST.
LOUIS, Sept. 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/
-- Shriners Children's and Build-A-Bear Foundation have
joined forces to offer a one-of-a-kind experience to the patients
at Shriners Children's, helping to provide hope and healing to
children receiving care.
Build-A-Bear Foundation Buddy Rooms will be available at
Shriners Children's locations throughout North America for patients and families to
pick out a complimentary furry friend and accessories. In an effort
to make a positive impact on patient visits, Build-A-Bear
Foundation is donating up to 5,000 furry friends to Shriners
Children's annually, along with an annual monetary donation.
Supporters can also donate furry friends, clothes and accessories
towards the Build-A-Bear Foundation Buddy Room of their choice.
"Build-A-Bear serves as an emotional anchor for our patients in
a couple of important ways," said Melissa
Owen, child life specialist at Shriners Children's
Greenville. "Not only does it
provide them with a way to creatively express themselves through
the choice of a bear or outfit, the bears are often a patient's
comfort item during surgery day. Comfort items are important for
children of all ages to soothe and provide a sense of safety. The
Build-A-Bear experience is a highlight for many patients."
Shriners Children's is a special, one-of-a-kind healthcare
system with a reputation for finding answers, and giving families
hope for their child's future. Since opening their first hospital
in 1922, Shriners Children's has made it their mission to improve
the lives of children, regardless of a families' ability to pay or
insurance status.
Over the last century, Shriners Children's has become one of the
largest pediatric sub-specialty healthcare systems in the world,
and treated more than 1.5 million children from more than 170
countries. Today, their multiple locations in the United States, Canada and Mexico provide advanced care for children with
a range of orthopedic issues, as well as care for burn injuries,
craniofacial conditions, spine care and spinal cord injuries,
colorectal and gastrointestinal care, and sports medicine.
Throughout its long and storied history, Shriners Children's
commitment to change lives hasn't changed, but has only
strengthened, and they are looking forward to the next 100 years of
caring for children around the world.
"We are honored to partner with Shriners Children's to bring the
fun of Build-A-Bear to children and families receiving care across
North America," said Voin Todorovic, Build-A-Bear Foundation
President. "We believe in the power of hugs and know a new furry
friend can bring comfort and a smile during challenging times. Our
hope is that Build-A-Bear Foundation Buddy Rooms add a little more
heart to the days of every patient by allowing them to get a
special Build-A-Bear furry friend during their visit."
Since 1997, Build-A-Bear has been adding a little more heart to
life for children and families around the world. GIVE is one of
Build-A-Bear's core values and has been a key element of the brand
throughout its history. Today, their giving programs come to life
through Build-A-Bear Foundation, which has contributed more than
$22 million and 1.5 million furry
friends to charitable organizations around the world.
To learn more about how to donate a furry friend to a Shriners
Children's Build-A-Bear Foundation Buddy Room, visit
lovetotherescue.org/build-a-bear-foundation-buddy-room/.
About Shriners
Children's
Shriners Children's is changing lives every day through
innovative pediatric specialty care, world-class research and
outstanding medical education. Our multiple locations in
the United States, Canada and Mexico provide advanced care for children with
orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip
and palate. All care is provided regardless of the families'
ability to pay. Shriners Children's has treated more than 1.5
million children from more than 170 countries over the last 100
years. For more information on the care provided by Shriners
Children's, go to shrinerschildrens.org Shriners Hospitals
for Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and relies on
the generosity of donors. All donations are tax deductible to the
fullest extent permitted by law.
About Build-A-Bear
Foundation
Build-A-Bear Foundation adds a little more heart to life by
sharing hugs, inspiring creativity, and supporting those in need. A
501(c)3 organization, Build-A-Bear Foundation's core focus is to
support children's literacy programs as a path to social and
educational equity. Build-A-Bear Foundation also provides financial
and furry friend donations to organizations that support
children's health and wellness, disaster relief, and families
in need of essential supplies. Since 1997, Build-A-Bear has
donated more than $22 million and 1.5 million furry friends to
charitable causes around the world. For more information,
please visit www.buildabearfoundation.org.
About Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.
(NYSE: BBW)
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 engaging
e-commerce/digital purchasing experiences on www.buildabear.com
including its online "Bear-Builder", the animated "Bear Builder 3D
Workshop" and its age-gated adult-focused "Bear Cave". 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 $411.5 million in fiscal 2021.
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/shriners-childrens-opens-build-a-bear-foundation-buddy-rooms-at-locations-throughout-north-america-301636901.html
SOURCE Build-A-Bear Workshop