Giving “kids” young and old an opportunity to make customized teddy bears has become a successful commercial venture, both in retail and online formats. North Hills Club, an athletic/social club in Raleigh, N.C., recently tapped into this popularity to hold a successful family event in combination with its regular Arts & Crafts program—and contribute to a worthwhile cause at the same time.
The kids and parents from over 60 North Hills families who came to the first “Build a Bear to Show You Care” event weren’t restricted to just making creatures named Teddy or only those of an ursine persuasion, though. Club members wasted little time grabbing the skins and stuffing material supplied by the club to produce a menagerie of 100 animals—not only bears, but also canines, penguins, horses and many other furry or feathered species. And after every creature was created, official naming ceremonies were held, complete with signed birth certificates.
All of the stuffed animals were then taken to be distributed to patients at Duke University Children’s Hospital. “The [North Hills] children were a little hesitant to give up their creations,” reports Thomas Shonkwiler, North Hills’ Assistant General Manager. “But they understood that their gifts would be special in the eyes of the children at the hospital, and we also gave each child who participated a small goody bag, as a token for their efforts.
“The team at Duke Children’s Hospital was very gracious and appreciative of the North Hills Club donation to the children there,” Shonkwiler adds. “We feel the event was a huge success, due to the creativity and planning that all of our staff provided. It will certainly be a regular part of our charitable events calendar going forward, as yet another idea for how North Hills can be a contributing partner in our community.”
As a convenience, North Hills opened its Grille Room and Lounge in the evening after the Build-A-Bear event, so the participating parents and children could have a family dinner together.
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