Earlier this year I mentioned the Build-A-Bear Workshop® Huggable Heroes® program that recognizes young leaders making positive contributions in their communities and around the world.  More than 1,000 nominations were received for this year’s program.  After narrowing the field down to 75 semifinalists and 25 finalists, Build-A-Bear Workshop is excited to announce the 10 Huggable Heroes for 2010.  I thought you’d like to hear and share their inspirational stories.

This year’s class of Huggable Heroes is tackling a variety of really cool and pertinent issues from illiteracy, poverty and feeding the hungry, to inspiring youth to volunteer, raising funds to help cure diseases, supplying items for military troops and toys for children in need.  Collectively, they have spent 650 hours a month volunteering and raised funds and gathered items valued at more than $22.5 million.

Follow this link to read about the 2010 Build-A-Bear Workshop Huggable Heroes and their causes:  buildabear.com/huggableheroes.

Each Huggable Heroes receives $10,000 ($7,500 educational scholarship and $2,500 to donate to charity).  In addition, they get to visit St. Louis, home of the Build-A-Bear Workshop World Bearquarters, to be honored for their good deeds.

Be sure to keep an eye open for details about next year’s search for Huggable Heroes so YOU can enter any youth community service leaders YOU might know!!