On Monday, the Country will celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King. Many will honor him by participating in a day of service as Build-A-Bear launches it’s search for the 2012 Huggable Heroes. This program, which is in it’s ninth year, searches for young people (ages 8-18) who make a difference in their community through leadership and acts of selfless service to others.
From now through February 27th, you can easily nominate a young person online or in stores to be one of ten named to the 2012 Build-A-Bear Huggable Heroes. Each winner will receive $10,000 ($7,500 in the form of an educational scholarship from Build-A-Bear Workshop and 
$2,500 from the Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation to be donated to the 501(c)(3) charity or Canadian cause of their choice). In addition, the Huggable Heroes will receive a trip for themselves and one parent, or legal guardian, to St. Louis, home of Build-A-Bear Workshop World Bearquarters, where they will be celebrated for their work, participate in a professional photo shoot, and take part in a community service project.
After reading the stories of the 2011 winners, I was in awe of what Kyle W. was able to accomplish at only 18 years of age. Kyle co-founded FUNDaFIELD.org when he was just 13 years old to raise money to help build soccer fields for kids in Africa. FUNDaFIELD.org has raised more than $138,000, constructed eight soccer fields in Africa, held four soccer tournaments, and delivered uniforms, soccer balls and other necessary supplies! Just amazing!
How do you encourage a spirit of volunteerism in your children?
I can remember sitting down with my family when I was a child and watching the holiday classics like Frosty the Snowman.
