It was the rainbow shoes that did it.
Jing proudly shows off her new bear, with shoes just like her own.
Jing, 9, was at the Build-A-Bear Workshop store near Cincinnati, happily dressing up her new bear friend. She had a Girl Scout theme in mind, with Brownie accessories like the ones she wears to her
troop meetings.
And then she saw the shoes. Just like her own rainbow shoes. For Jing, it was a joyful cap to an exciting day. Her mom, Laura, said that as soon as they got home, Jing quickly changed clothes so she and her bear could pose for a picture in their matching outfits.
Jing was among 55 Shriners Hospitals for Children patients nationwide who participated in a Build-A-Bear event designed to bring joy to kids. The patients enjoyed the full Build-A-Bear experience, which involves creating a custom stuffed toy and filling it with all the magic and love a child can imagine. The month-long event also included a fundraising campaign in which Build-A-Bear Workshop customers were able to donate in support of Shriners Hospitals for Children.
It’s all part of a new corporate partnership between the Shriners Hospitals health care system and Build-A-Bear Workshop. It’s a natural fit for the two organizations, which both have missions that aim to help kids. As Build-A-Bear Workshop indicates on its website, “When a child is sick, scared or lonely and reaches for their teddy bear, Build-A-Bear is there … the simple joy of a teddy bear hug can make a difference.”
During the 30-day campaign, 83 Build-A-Bear stores raised more than $29,000 in donations to help support Shriners Hospitals for Children. A check presentation ceremony was held at Shriners Hospitals for Children — St. Louis, in July. Patients who attended were able to meet the Build-A-Bear mascot.
Build-A-Bear and Shriners Hospitals for Children are looking forward to creating new ways to move their partnership forward in the future.
