BUILD-A-BEAR GIVES BOOKS AND BEARS

"We are thrilled to share the joy of literacy through the donations of books and bears to children across the globe," said Chris Hurt, President of Build-A-Bear Foundation. "As Build-A-Bear grows, our responsibility to our core value of GIVE grows with us. Through the next few years, we plan on continuing our focus on ambitious bear and book donations and heartfelt partnerships to support those in need. Our teams make all of this possible – along with every donation by guests and associates – and Build-A-Bear Foundation is given more opportunities to make furry friends a force for good everywhere." 

In addition to its work with First Book, Build-A-Bear Foundation has formed partnerships with international organizations and projects local to their global headquarters. Through donations of funds and furry friends to U.K. charity BookTrust, the Foundation is helping BookTrust encourage children and families from low-income backgrounds to read and share stories together.

The Foundation also sponsors literacy labs in the U.S. to inspire learning spaces with inclusive stories. Through these efforts, Build-A-Bear Foundation is contributing to the broader mission of ensuring that children have access to the resources, skills, and support they need to develop a lifelong love of learning.

BEARS FOR BOOKS WITH READ TEDDY
Build-A-Bear continues to offer Read Teddy through Giving Tuesday and beyond. The lovable furry friend – a classic brown bear with super soft fur and an irresistibly cute smile – encourages a love for reading and creativity. For every Read Teddy purchased in North America, Build-A-Bear will donate $1 to Build-A-Bear Foundation in support of First Book. 

NATIONAL TEDDY BEAR DAY
As a result of the recent "Buy A Bear, Give A Bear" event held on National Teddy Bear Day in September 2023, 50,000 bears were donated, benefiting children and classrooms in need. Beneficiaries include First Book, BookTrust, Soles4Souls, and more.

ABOUT BUILD-A-BEAR FOUNDATION
Build-A-Bear Foundation adds a little more heart to life by sharing hugs, inspiring creativity, and supporting children and families in need. A 501(c)3 organization, Build-A-Bear Foundation's core focus is to support children's literacy programs as a path to social and educational equity. Build-A-Bear Foundation also provides financial and furry friend donations to organizations that support children's health and wellness, disaster relief, and families in need of essential supplies. Since 1997, Build-A-Bear has donated more than $22 million and 1.5 million furry friends to charitable causes around the world. For more information, please visit www.buildabearfoundation.org.

ABOUT BUILD-A-BEAR®
Build-A-Bear is a multi-generational global brand focused on its mission to "add a little more heart to life" appealing to a wide array of consumer groups who enjoy the personal expression in making their own "furry friends" to celebrate and commemorate life moments. Nearly 500 interactive brick-and-mortar experience locations operated through a variety of formats provide guests of all ages a hands-on entertaining experience, which often fosters a lasting and emotional brand connection. The company also offers engaging e-commerce/digital purchasing experiences on buildabear.com including its online "Bear-Builder", the animated "Bear Builder 3D Workshop" and its age-gated, adult-focused "Bear Cave". In addition, extending its brand power beyond retail, Build-A-Bear Entertainment, a subsidiary of Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc., is dedicated to creating engaging content for kids and adults that fulfills the company's mission, while the company also offers products at wholesale and in non-plush consumer categories via licensing agreements with leading manufacturers. Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. posted total revenue of $467.9 million in fiscal 2022. For more information, visit the Investor Relations section of buildabear.com.

ABOUT FIRST BOOK
Education transforms lives. First Book is building a world where every child has access to a quality education. We work to remove barriers to education and level the playing field for kids in need. At the heart of our work are the 575,000 members of the First Book Network, the largest online community of educators and professionals dedicated to children in need across North America. This Network is the key to creating systemic change. Through our research arm, First Book Research & Insights, we conduct studies that aggregate their voices to identify barriers to equitable education and inform strategic solutions. To address their needs, we provide free and low-cost books, resources, and access to leading experts through the First Book Marketplace, which uses aggregated buying power to support this underserved community. Founded in Washington D.C. in 1992 as a nonprofit social enterprise, First Book is dedicated to eliminating barriers to learning and inspiring young minds. Learn more at FirstBook.org and visit our award-winning eCommerce website at FBMarketplace.org.

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SOURCE Build-A-Bear Workshop