Evelyn Romans | 

KCL Leverages Build-A-Bear Sale to Give Teddy Bears to 100 Refugee Children

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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.

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.

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.

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

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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