How do I get Little Hero Bears? : Friendforlife.org

About Us/What is the Big Hero, Little Hero Program?

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With more than 11 million children being transported for medical care each year by more than 75,000 emergency services, it is easy to see that there is an ever-growing need for special rescue Teddy Bears. Through participating in our "Buy 1, Give 1 " Program or coordinating your own fundraising efforts, you can greatly assist us in our mission to make sure that every child has a Teddy Bear to hug when he or she needs one the most.

The "Buy 1, Give 1 " Program

The Vermont Teddy Bear Company established the "Buy 1, Give 1 " Program to help raise funds for the Big Hero, Little Hero^® Program and more effectively meet the ever-growing need for rescue Teddy Bears. The Vermont Teddy Bear Company packs and ships donated bears via common carrier directly to the emergency service stations.

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The Little Hero^® Bear is a 13" Teddy Bear designed and imported by The Vermont Teddy Bear Company. It features soft and shaggy honey fur and wears a white T-shirt "bear"ing the Friend for Life signature logo. Little Hero^® Teddy Bear - $19.99.

Fundraising

Our annual Friend for Life Festival, held every summer at The Vermont Teddy Bear Factory in Shelburne, VT, has been a wonderful way for us to raise awareness and funds for the Big Hero, Little Hero^® Program. You can help, too, by organizing your own festival, community event, or fund-raising initiative.

Getting Started:

Identify businesses and individuals in your community that you think may have an interest in helping community-based efforts. Banks, car dealerships, local businesses, trade unions, trade associations, and local fundraising groups are all great places to start. Your local Chamber of Commerce can also help you identify potential sponsors and/or fundraising partners.

We also suggest partnering with groups with a similar mission, such as your local police, fire, and rescue departments, boys and girls clubs, and other youth organizations. Whomever you approach, remind them of the very important fact that it is their children and the children of your community that you will be helping through your efforts.

Fundraising Ideas:

Festival & Fireman's Muster - Organize a local festival and fireman's muster similar to the one held annually at The Vermont Teddy Bear Company. Fireman's muster games are a tradition among fire departments, so contact your local fire department to help organize the games and promote your festival.
School Projects - Work with parent/teacher groups to coordinate your own "Buy 1, Give 1 " Program. The Vermont Teddy Bear Company will supply Little Hero^® Bears at wholesale cost and students can sell them to classmates, neighbors, etc. to raise money for the Big Hero, Little Hero^® Program. The students can then present the donated Bears earned as a result to their local police, fire, or rescue station.
Restaurant Sponsors - A unique opportunity for local restaurants and eateries, this idea encourages these businesses to create namesake items on their menu, such as the "Little Hero^® Burger." A percentage of the sale from the special menu items will go towards the purchase of Little Hero^® Bears for local emergency service stations.
Local Retailers - Approach local retail stores about purchasing Little Hero^® Bears at wholesale and participating in their own "Buy 1, Give 1 " initiative.
Realtors - Real Estate companies often give housewarming gifts to new homeowners. Approach realtors in your area with the possibility of giving Little Hero^® Bears as a housewarming gift as well as a gesture of goodwill, letting the new homeowner know that another Bear has been donated in their name to a local emergency service station.
Public Relations Opportunities - Police, fire, and rescue departments often participate in a wide variety of community events, such as parades, festivals, and car seat safety inspections. These events present perfect opportunities to promote the Big Hero, Little Hero^® and "Buy 1, Give 1 " Programs.