Cubgratulations™ to the 2008 Build-A-Bear Workshop^® Huggable Heroes^®!

Anna - Colorado
Anna is being recognized for founding Sight Angels, a non-profit organization that provides eye glasses to those in need.  She has donated more than $165,000 worth of glasses and supplies to all five major continents.  Through Sight Angels, Anna has been able to provide glasses to the homeless, migrant farm workers, victims of Hurricane Katrina, senior citizens, to children in Honduras and to people in Guineau Bissau, Africa.

Austin - Arizona
Austin is being recognized for starting “Hoops of Hope,” an annual free throw basketball marathon that raises awareness and funds for AIDS orphans in Africa.  He has been able to inspire 6,000 people to participate in Hoops of Hope events in 37 states and four countries.  Together, Austin and his supporters have raised $321,000, provided care for 100 orphans, built a school for 450 orphans, built a medical lab and counseling center and provided 1,000 care kits for AIDS caregivers.

Aymeric  - France
Aymeric decided to support the cause of Ingrid Betancourt and the 3,000 other hostages held by the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia). Through his actions Aymeric also supports ‘Mama Yolanda’, the association created by Ingrid’s mother that is devoted to the health and education of 300 children living in the streets of Bogota. 

Christina – New York
Christina is being recognized for co-founding “Bring It On,” the first and only youth service non-profit organization in Northeast Bronx.  The organization promotes youth leadership, community involvement through service learning projects and You Go Girl Go Empowerment Forums.  Christina has personally volunteered more than 1,100 hours and has helped Bring It On raise more than $25,000 for charity while engaging 1000+ youths in the community to create change.

Dallas - Washington
Dallas is being recognized for raising awareness of teen abduction and date rape.  She was able to gather $1,000,000 in cash and services to produce an instructional film that she distributes on her website or mails for free to girls who do not have internet access. 

Emma – Nova Scotia
Emma is being recognized for her countless efforts to raise funds and support for Breast Cancer Research.  After hearing that one of her teachers was diagnosed with breast cancer, Emma participated in the CIBC – Run for the Cure.  Since then, her pink ribbon sells and extensive fundraising initiatives have raised $10,000 to support her cause.  Her goal is to raise $100,000 before graduating from high school.

Jack – Oakville
Jack is being recognized for his fundraising efforts to support the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids).  Suffering from severe epilepsy, Jack wanted to help his friends at the hospital get better, one cup at a time, and raised more than $14,000 for SickKids by running his own lemonade stand.  He raised an additional $12,000 for children’s services at Epilepsy Toronto hosting “Jack’s Lemonade” stand at a local festival. He has inspired local schools to host lemonade stands for SickKids and hopes to raise $50,000 in 2008.

Kirsty – Manchester
Brave Kirsty suffers with the genetic disorder Neurofibromatosis; a serious condition which causes tumours to develop on nerve endings. However, this has not stopped her from endeavouring to raise a huge amount of money to send other poorly children on the trip of a lifetime. After having a wish granted to visit Santa in Lapland when she was nine-years-old, she has focused on making this dream come true for 100 other children. Kirsty has raised a phenomenal £43,000 so far and she is well on her way to her £65,000 goal.

Malka – London
By organising fundraising events in her local community Malka single-handedly helped create a summer camp for children at her school. Along with sourcing camp leaders and counsellors Malka arranged for “Camp Jolly” to take place in Bournemouth for 6 days last summer. So successful was Malika’s idea, her school has been inspired to create an after-school club and she is already planning this year’s “Camp Jolly”!

Michala - Kentucky
Michala is being recognized for her efforts to raise awareness and funds for autism through a program she started called “Beading to Beat Autism”.  She, along with an army of volunteers, makes and sells beaded bracelets.  Michala has raised more then $200,000 for physicians at Kosair Children’s Hospital and the Department of Pediatrics.

Rocco - New Jersey
Rocco is being recognized for his efforts to raise funds and awareness for blindness.  He has spoken to New Jersey State legislators convincing them to allocate $1.2 million to Braille education and services for blind children.  In addition, Rocco serves as Ambassador for the Little Rock Foundation that provides resources to visually-impaired children and their parents, educators and therapists.  He is also a celebrated jazz musician.

Jasmine - California
Jasmine is being recognized for her efforts to raise funds for both domestic and international causes.  She has been able to raise more then $200,000 for causes such as hurricane relief, Self Help for the Elderly and the Asian American Cancer Support Network.  In addition, Jasmine helped open Hillsdale School’s Student Run Volunteer Center and the first annual Hillsdale Volunteer Fair, promoting volunteerism among her peers and classmates.

Associate Huggable Heroes

Christopher, Store: Golden Square - Warrington
Chris is being recognized for raising funds for cancer research and St. Rocco’s Hospice.  Inspired by a family friend who passed away from cancer, he organized a fun run called “Lesley’s Smile” to benefit cancer research.  Chris was able to get a local company to sponsor the run and 130 people to participate.  Together they raised £2,500.  In addition, as part of the Committee for Cancer Research, he helped raise £10,500 for Relay for Life. 

Laura, Store: Mayfair Mall - Wisconsin