Build-A-Bear Workshop-United Kingdom: 2007 Huggable Heros Winners

2007 Huggable Heroes Winners

Cubgratulations™ to the 2007 Build-A-Bear Workshop^® Huggable Heroes^®!

Build-A-Bear Workshop^® is beary pleased to announce the 2007 Huggable Heroes^®. The search for this year’s heroes began in December 2006 with a call for nominations. More than 1,300 pawsome entries were received. Now, after months of deli-bear-ation, the judges have selected the ten Huggable Heroes. We salute all the young people who are making our world a better place through their generosity and kindness and we encourage everyone to continue giving from their hearts. Each is an inspiration. Let’s meet the 2007 Huggable Heroes.

Austin - Missouri

Austin raises awareness and funds for juvenile diabetes research. He performs onstage and has recorded a CD of “A Mother’s Wish,” a song written by his mom. All the proceeds from the CD are donated to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Austin has raised $50,000 for diabetes research.
Ceri - United Kingdom

Ceri is committed to helping and caring for others. She is an ambassador for the Diana Trust – only one of ten in England to hold this title – and travels around the country speaking to children and adults alike. Ceri’s determination to help everyone achieve a better life is also illustrated in her position as a governor for the Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
Maddison - Ontario

Before Maddison passed away from cancer in May 2007, she made it her mission to raise funds and awareness for causes such as: Multiple Sclerosis, Lou Gehrig’s Disease and Relay for Life. In addition, Maddison founded “Making a Difference,” a fundraising initiative to help build a village in Kenya. She raised more than $14,000 for the village by holding events such as hair cutting and moustache growing competitions and hat days. She raised thousands more for other causes. Maddison inspired friends, family members and Canadians to help her achieve her goals.
Makenzie - Maryland

Makenzie makes the lives of children living in the foster care system throughout the United States brighter. After hearing that many of these children have to carry their belongings in a trash bag, Makenzie launched a non-profit organization called Children to Children. She collects and distributes cuddly stuffed animals inside duffel bags filled with love. Over the past nine years, with the help of numerous volunteers, Makenzie has been able to collect more than $1 million in merchandise and cash donations and has distributed more than 60,000 duffel bags.
Rafaello - New York

Rafaello spends countless hours educating others and raising awareness in support of children’s cancer research. His efforts have helped grant more than 20 wishes for children with life-threatening diseases through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He also orchestrates lemonade stands and toy drives to purchase presents for children in the hospital. In addition to encouraging thousands of people to become blood donors and hundreds to join the bone marrow registry, Rafaello has raised more than $750,000 for the Morgan Center, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Ryan - United Kingdom

Ryan’s fundraising efforts started at the tender age of 7 when he raised £70 for the RSPCA. Since then he has set up a beginner’s skate boarding club, teaching younger children to skate, and has organized a sponsored Skate for Children In Need. Now 16 years old, Ryan is in a band at college and is working with other local bands on a fundraising project called, “Making Poverty History.”
Sondra - Tennessee

Sondra helps kids in developing countries obtain an education and break the cycle of poverty. She has raised $85,000 to help educate children in these countries and has written a book on volunteering called, “You Can Change Your World!” In addition, Sondra started a program called, “Fun with a Future,” that provides the children of Africa with Frisbees for their “fun” and pencils and toothbrushes for their “future”.
Talia - Iowa

Talia founded and operates her own non-profit called, “RandomKid,” that allows kids to help others by mobilizing them through highly motivating, empowering initiatives. She has been involved with such projects as hurricane relief efforts and fundraising for cancer and AIDS. Talia alone has raised $340,000 for various efforts.
Whitten - Kentucky

Whitten founded Kids Acting Against Cancer, Inc. (KAAC), a non-profit organization that “acts” to raise money to improve the lives of children going through cancer treatments. She and her fellow KAAC members give their time and talents to help put on shows and obtain donations. To date, they have raised nearly $160,000. In addition, because of its fundraising efforts, KAAC has donated medical equipment to pediatric oncology units.
Zach - Florida

Zach helps kids in distressed situations. Among his many projects, Zach has collected and donated school supplies to Teaching Tools for Hillsborough Schools benefiting kids displaced after Hurricane Katrina. In an effort to raise awareness and supplies to make the “Zach Packs” for homeless kids, he also conducts a yearly project called 24 Hours, which brings together kids from several area high schools and middle schools to simulate being homeless for 24 hours.
Huggable Hero Associate - Pippa - Chimes Shopping Center, UK

Pippa is being recognized as the 2007 Associate Huggable Hero for her efforts to raise money for various charities. As Chair of the Charities Committee at her school, Pippa arranged over 20 events raising more than £8,000 for causes such as the Red Cross, a local hospice, breast cancer awareness, National AIDS Trust, and Asthma UK, to name a few. In March 2007, she received the “Jack Evans Award for Service to the Community.”