On Thursday, July 12th, Build-A-Bear hosted their first-ever Pay Your Age event!
The sale, which ran on 7/12 only, was one of the best we’ve seen: pay your age for any stuffed animal in the store — no exclusions. So if your kid is 4, you would only have to pay $4 for a teddy bear!
The deal was so good, thousands of people showed up to Build-A-Bear locations nationwide. The lines were so long, the teddy bear company announced on their Facebook page that lines were closed and they would not be accepting additional guests after 9:30 AM Thursday morning.
By the time The Krazy Coupon Lady team arrived with 100 refugee children, there were hundreds in line in front of them…
Boise refugee children take a trip to the mall in a school bus early Thursday morning.
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The Tuesday before the event, KCL founders, Joanie and Heather, began discussing the idea of bringing Boise’s refugee children to Build-A-Bear for free teddy bears:
“Heather was casually talking about the sale at work yesterday when she said, ‘I wish we had a bus we could drive around all day on Thursday to pick up refugee kids and take them to the mall to buy them each a bear.’ We laughed at the idea and left it at that, but I came home and made a few calls. Then, I rang Heather on the phone after work and said, ‘I got you something. It’s a school bus. Let’s do this.'”
It’s more than a bear and a deal. It’s a welcome wagon, a love bus.
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The Krazy Coupon Lady has been donating to refugees in the Boise community through the International Rescue Committee for years. And in 2016, Joanie and Heather established the non-profit arm of the company to further help the families in our Boise community. The KCL Foundation warehouses toys, coats, kitchen items, toiletries, shoes, bedding and more — all purchased for at least 50% off.
If you’re interested in doing something similar, please read How to Donate Stockpile Items to Refugees.
“It’s more than a bear and a deal. It’s a welcome wagon, a love bus. And in light of the last two weeks especially, we need a little warmth and comfort in this community. And we think we can deliver a small dose of smiles to accomplish that mission. And getting a good deal never hurt anybody.”
The lines are long and the kids are strong, but stuffing teddy bears isn’t going to happen today.
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By the time the kids, the founders and KCL employees arrived at Boise Towne Square mall, there were hundreds in front of them, and available inventory at Build-A-Bear was questionable.
In response to the long wait times, Boise’s Build-A-Bear employees offered those standing in line $15 coupons and invited The Krazy Coupon Lady back for a private event at a future date.
As for the kids, each child received a stuffed animal purchased by the Krazy Coupon Lady from Kohl’s. Plans to bring the kids back to Build-A-Bear on a future date are underway.
KCL in the News
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KCL’s Build-A-Bear event with Boise’s refugee children made national news the morning of the event. Check it out:
For more Krazy Coupon Lady press appearances, visit the KCL YouTube channel.
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