This post was sponsored by Build-A-Bear in partnership with The Motherhood. Please note that, as always, any personal opinions reflected in this post are my own and have not been influenced by the sponsor or compensation received in any way.
I’m a big Build-A-Bear fan. I love my stuffed animals and as far as cute goes theirs pretty much take the cake. I’ve gotten one as a gift and I’ve made a number of them as gifts. They’re just plain fun. It’s awesome when a company can make a product that people can interact with and really enjoy, as you can with Build-A-Bear. It’s even more awesome when that company also recognizes heroes – people that carry out selfless acts and have a desire to make a difference. When those people are kids, it’s just as good as it gets. To that end I am thrilled to be able to share with you that once again in 2014 Build-A-Bear Workshop is holding its Huggable Heroes campaign.
2014 marks the launch of the eleventh annual search for Huggable Heroes®, which is a program to recognize and reward charitable-minded youths making the world a better place. Additionally, the company is teaming up with the USO to celebrate and give thanks for the service of America’s troops and their families.
Proving that heroism isn’t just for adults, Build-A-Bear Workshop recognizes and rewards kids for extraordinary acts of service through the Huggable Heroes program. Through June 12, 2014, Build-A-Bear Workshop guests can nominate children from ages eight to eighteen for this award. Nominations can be made in stores nationwide or by visiting buildabear.com/huggableheroes. Once nominations have closed the field will be narrowed to 50 finalists. Finally, there will be ten winners, each receiving a $5,000 scholarship and a $2,500 donation to a designated charity of their choice.
The 2014 Huggable Heroes will join the ranks of over 100 young social entrepreneurs who have collectively recruited thousands of volunteers, gathered over 300 million items and raised more than $10 million for their causes. To date, more than 12,000 kids have participated in the Build-A-Bear Workshop Huggable Heroes program, which has awarded over $1 million to socially conscious young people.
Build-A-Bear Workshop has also partnered with the USO to celebrate the service of America’s military heroes. Through the “Every Moment Counts” campaign, the USO creates moments that matter for our troops and their families. In support of this effort, Build-A-Bear Workshop Guests can share a message of thanks on social media platforms with “#babwUSOthanks.” For each share generated with the hashtag #babwUSOthanks Build-A-Bear Workshop will donate one dollar to the USO, up to $50,000. Through June 30 guests can also make a monetary donation to support the USO at Build-A-Bear Workshop stores nationwide when they checkout. This year the USO is attempting to set a Guinness World Record for “most signatures on a flag”. Build-A-Bear Workshop stores are supporting this effort. Through May 17 Build-A-Bear Workshop Guests can sign the flag in-person at locations listed below or digitally at USOmoments.org.
Build-A-Bear Workshop will be holding some local events to help celebrate all of our heroes. At the events, you can meet with Build-A-Bear Workshop and USO representatives as well as local military families. Here are details for the scheduled events.
New York City
Build-A-Bear Workshop
565 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Wednesday, May 14, 2014, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Chicago
Build-A-Bear Workshop
Navy Pier
700 East Grand Ave., Suite GF12
Chicago, IL 60611
Thursday, May 15, 2014, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
D.C.
Build-A-Bear Workshop
Westfield Montgomery
7101 Democracy Blvd, Space 1258
Bethesda, MD 20817
Thursday, May 15, 2014, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Los Angeles
Build-A-Bear Workshop
Westside Pavilion
10800 West Pico Blvd., Space #248
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Thursday, May 15, 2014, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
St. Louis
Build-A-Bear Workshop
Saint Louis Galleria
1444 Saint Louis Galleria
St. Louis, MO 63117-3500
Thursday, May 15, 2014, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
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My brother in law is in the USMC. He bought his daughters each a Marine bear to snuggle while he is deployed.
I think I have seen these before and I love them and know my girls would. My girl’s brothers are officers in the Navy so this would be fantastic.
What a great idea! It honors the heros while giving kids the choice of fun “hero” bears. We’ll have to see if we can get one.
I wish I knew my military uniforms better – is one of these bears Coast Guard? If so, I need one for my brother!
This is so neat! I live in a big military town. These would go over so well here.
My husband is a retired air force vet, so I LOVE this. This is the first I have heard of it, but sadly they aren’t doing one in Boston. Maybe we could do a day trip to NYC?
My daughter loves going to Build A Bear. I’m sure she would love making one of these bears. I wish I knew someone in the military to make one for!
Love Build a Bear. This is an awesome program. Really neat/.
We love Build-A-Bear in our house. I’m sure my kids would want a fireman one! We have lots of friends who are volunteer firemen – they are so brave!
I have not done the Build A Bear workshop but what a great cause for them to support. Anything to support heroes and troops I am a fan of.
I love Build a Bear. And it looks like the event will be near me on Thursday!
Those are ridiculously adorable! My boyfriend served in the Air Force so I definitely love the little Air Force build a bear 😀
Those are very cool. I think my kids have all of those bears.
My mom does. She’s a nurse at our local free clinic. Love the camo bear!
I think the children of anybody serving in an armed service is trying to make the world a better place. They have strength and resolve and understanding that even adults don’t have.
These BaB are super cute.
I love that Build a Bear is doing this great campaign. its seems like just yesterday my 17 year old was a kid and wanted her very own build a bear fried
I love this idea. I think it’s a great thing for kiddos!
My own no longer now adult littgle girl and my adopted granddaughter kind and loving beyond her 8 years.
we were just at Build a Bear and saw these uniforms. I love them
I love Build A Bear, this is such a great event, I think the closest for me is in NY but even that is a haul. Thanks for sharing this information. I know a lot of people who give back and do so many kind things for others; mostly I know a lot of firefighter families here.
Build a Bear is so fun! I love it and I’m an adult. 🙂 Can’t wait to take my kiddos there!
Dina Demarest
107 Sugar Creek Ln
my father, father in law and hubby all went into the armed forces. They were there for change. I appreciate what they did for us!
I really love this collection! This is such a great idea for Build-A-Bear!
I hope they make a nurse bear soon! I love this collection for our heroes
This is such a cute idea from Build-a-Bear. My daughter has an Army bear she built when her brother joined the military. She loves that bear a ton still, and she’s 15 now! 🙂
This is such a great idea for Build a Bear to do this! It’s great for kids to have something to snuggle with when they have deployed family members.
What a great idea. It’s important that we remember our everyday heros.
I love this. I want to go make one for myself!
I have a sister of one of my students who started an amazing organization after she was diagnosed with cancer. She would be my Huggable Hero.
My cousin is serving in Germany right now. They just had a baby. I bet they would love to have a military bear for their new son to snuggle with! I love that Build A Bear is partnering with the USO!
These are great! I feel like I missed a part of childhood because I never got a Build a Bear, haha. I love that they have made these Huggable Heroes.
We love Build a Bear and the DC location is actually the mall near my hone! I have to make sure we check it out!
I have a few cousins in the military. I always think about them as my heroes. They’ve definitely done their part to make this world a better place.
I would really love to get one in memory of my brother. He served our country well and my boys miss him so