During the month of May, one dollar from the sale of each stuffed dog
from the Bearemy Kennel Pals® collection available at
Build-A-Bear Workshop®, will be donated by the Build-A-Bear
Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation to Canine Companions for Independence®.
This program was inspired by Shea Megale, a thirteen-year-old with
Spinal Muscular Atrophy who has written a series of books about the
adventures of her assistance dog, Mercer, to raise funds for Canine
Companions for Independence. The organization matches highly trained
assistance dogs with children and adults with disabilities and placed
Mercer with Shea in 2004.
“Shea is a heroic young woman that is dedicated to raising awareness
about the valuable role of assistance dogs,” said Maxine Clark, founder
and chief executive bear of Build-A-Bear Workshop. “Build-A-Bear
Workshop strives to support causes that are important to Guests and Shea
has motivated us to help Canine Companions for Independence. “
In April of 2008, Shea made her debut at buildabearville.com®,
the Build-A-Bear Workshop online world, along with her assistance dog,
Mercer. While visiting Build-A-Bearville™, Shea and Mercer met citizens
of the virtual world with the goal of encouraging them to make a
difference in their community and beyond.
From May 18 to May 31, Shea and Mercer will return to Build-A-Bearville,
back by popular demand. Shea will be appearing on The Chloe Show to be
interviewed by ChloeRocks™, the avatar spokesperson for
Build-A-Bearville and to discuss her cause. Guests who watch Shea’s
interview will receive a FREE virtual gift. Inspired by Mercer and all
assistance dogs, Guests of buildabearville.com® can visit the
gymnasium to teach their virtual furry friends to do three new moves by
playing minigames. After Guests earn all three moves, they can continue
to play and earn Bear Bills® to shop for virtual
Build-A-Bearville stuff.
About Canine Companions for Independence
Canine Companions for Independence is the largest non-profit provider of
trained assistance dogs with five regional training centers across the
country. Established in 1975, Canine Companions provides highly trained
assistance dogs to children and adults with disabilities and is
recognized worldwide for the excellence of its dogs, and quality and
longevity of the matches it makes between dogs and people. There is no
charge for the dog, its training and on-going follow-up services.
