Changing the world, one Huggable Hero at a time!

At Build-A-Bear Workshop we love cele-bear-ating, especially when it comes to birthdays. One of our favorite programs is celebrating a honey of a birthday this year. Huggable Heroes, our program that recognizes kids for their volunteerism and philanthropy is turning 10.

Now through February 28, we are accepting nominations for kids, 8 – 18, who are doing their part to make the world a better place. Huggable Heroes are kids who have a passion for making the world a better place. From fundraising for research to end juvenile diabetes to rolling up their sleeves to organize community gardens that feed people in need, our Huggable Heroes are making a paw-isitive impact around the world.

Ten Huggable Heroes will each receive $10,000 which includes an educational scholarship, a donation to a charity of their choice, and a mentoring scholarship to support their charitable entrepreneurship.

Because turning 10 is beary special, Build-A-Bear Workshop is joining with the Jefferson Awards for Public Service to give the 2013 Huggable Heroes a unique opportunity to receive a year-long training and mentoring scholarship.

Each Huggable Hero will be paired with a mentor through the Jefferson Awards GLOBECHANGERS program which will help them develop skills for writing business plans, networking and fundraising. The training and on-going support the Huggable Heroes receive from their mentors will enable these future leaders to grow their passion for public service and hopefully make an even bigger impact.

For more information and to submit a nomination, visit buildabear.com/huggableheroes .

We have Huggable Heroes in our midst!

Molly Saunders – Digital Bear

For the nine years Build-A-Bear Workshop has honored amazing young people doing incredible work in our worldwide community. Through the years more than 100 kids have been named official Build-A-Bear Workshop Huggable Heroes. These heroes have collectively raised millions of dollars and have donated thousands of hours of community service to help make our world a better place.

This year we are celebrating 15 youth from the United States and Canada for making an amazing difFURence! They have raised nearly $1.4 million to support worthy causes such as homelessness and poverty, bullying, literacy, health issues and recycling. Below are some photos from the service art project our Huggable Heroes created in Memphis, Tenn. at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Purple Day is March 26: Epilepsy awareness day founded by our 2011 Huggable Hero

Q& A with Cassidy Megan M., 12, Halifax, NS – 2011 Huggable Hero

Four years ago, Cassidy Megan founded Purple Day for Epilepsy to promote epilepsy awareness. Purple day has partnered with the Epilepsy Association of Nova Scotia and the Anita Kaufmann Foundation in the USA. Purple Day is now recognized internationally with supporters in Spain, Iran, Australia, Madrid, England, Africa, Cyprus and other countries worldwide.

What inspired you to start Purple Day for Epilepsy?

When I found out I had epilepsy I thought I was the only kid with it. After the Epilepsy Association of Nova Scotia came and did a presentation and I saw that my friends were really interested, I decided to tell them I had it. During the presentation I found out that lavender can represent feeling alone which is how I felt. The next year I started Purple Day because I wanted other people with epilepsy to know that they were not alone.

Purple Day is coming up. What are your plans for March 26, 2012?

I want to make it even bigger and better than last year. I am working with our partners and ambassadors all over the world to get more people involved and spread the word.

What is your mission for Purple Day?

My dream is that one day everyone will know about Purple Day and epilepsy and no one will feel alone.

You’ve accomplished so much. What are you going to do next?

I’m going to keep working on Purple Day and keep helping people be aware of epilepsy. I also want to keep letting people with epilepsy know that they can do anything they want and to never give up.

What advice do you have for kids who want to make a difference in the world?

Keep believing that you can do it, when things seem hard to change it’s important to keep working hard. Every little bit counts, never give up and always follow your dreams, you can do it!

Click here to learn more about Purple Day for Epilepsy.