Twelve Amazing Young Heroes from Across North America Receive Awards
Published: June 6, 2006
It all started with a simple goal, recognizing youngpeople across the U.S. and Canada committed to making a positivedifference in the world. Build-A-Bear Workshop(R) received nearly1,500 nominations for the Third Annual Search for Huggable Heroes(R),a program that rewards kids for their outstanding acts of generosityand volunteerism and encourages other kids to do the same.
Twelve inspiring kids have been named the 2006 Build-A-BearWorkshop Huggable Heroes. Their heroic stories range from WellandBurnside, 18, of South Carolina starting Suitcases for Kids, so thatchildren moving from one foster home to another would have somethingin which to put their clothes, to Maggie Fazenbaker, 14, of New Mexicoworking on a project called Operation Soldier Smiles that sends carepackages to deployed soldiers in the war zone. Jeniece Klammer, 18, ofMichigan started a back-to-school effort collecting school suppliesfor less fortunate children in her own school.
Build-A-Bear Workshop invited the public to visitwww.buildabear.com to learn about the Huggable Heroes finalists andvote for the person who most touched their heart. Anthony Leanna, 14,of Suamico, Wisconsin, was selected as the People’s Pick Huggable Herofor Heavenly Hats, a program that donates brand new hats to cancerpatients. Over the past four years Anthony has coordinated donationsof over 80,000 new pieces of headwear to over 250 hospitals andclinics nationwide. He has inspired hundreds of youth groups andschools to help out by hosting hat drives for Heavenly Hats.
Anthony was joined by the other 2006 Huggable Heroes(R) when theywere announced at the First Star charity gala in Los Angeles,California June 3, 2006. Malcolm David Kelley, “Walt” on the hittelevision show Lost, joined the Huggable Heroes in Los Angeles andhelped honor these great kids, encouraging them in their communityservice efforts. Malcolm David Kelley is no stranger to making theworld a better place. At 14, he is the Youth Ambassador for FirstStar, a national public charity dedicated to improving the lives ofAmerica’s abused and neglected children. Its mission is to serve as acatalyst for meaningful reform of the child welfare system throughcommunication, education and legislation.
“We are so proud and impressed by everything our Huggable Heroeshave accomplished,” said Maxine Clark, Founder and Chief ExecutiveBear of Build-A-Bear Workshop(R). “These young people are greatexamples of success, proving that no matter how old you are, or whereyou live, you can make a difference. We encourage our Huggable Heroesto continue their great work, knowing that they will touch manypeople’s lives and become even greater future leaders for ourcountry.”
2006 Huggable Heroes, stories and information online atwww.buildabear.com.
Bailey Reese, 9, Niceville, Fla.
Care packages for U.S. soldiers in Iraq
Charlotte McKane, 10, Oneonta, N.Y.
Donates personal care items
Kaylene Wright, 12, Westland, Mich.
Donates children’s books to hospitals
Heather Wilder, 12, Las Vegas, Nev.
Writes books to raise awareness about the challenges foster kids face
Maggie Fazenbaker, 14, Alamogordo, N.M.
Care packages for U.S. soldiers in Iraq
Jenessa Largent, 14, White Bear Lake, Minn.
Makes bracelets to support service men and women
Anthony Leanna, 14, Suamico, Wisc.
Donates hats to cancer patients
Ted Cox, 15, Marysville, Ohio
Dedicated volunteers at a local hospital
Welland Burnside, 17, Garden City, S.C.
Donates suitcases to foster kids
Brittany Palmer, 18, North Vancouver, BC, Canada
Active community volunteer for Easter Seals and other organizations
Jeniece Klammer, 18, Ypsilanti, Mich.
Collects and donates school supplies
Matthew Krauze, 18, Warwick, N.Y.
Volunteers for Puppies Behind Bars
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