The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

‘Building’ holiday spirit, one bear at a time

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Cindy Ross, of RP&G Printing in Wesley Chapel, knows the importance of every child experiencing the joy of the holiday spirit.

For the last six years (2016 to 2022), Ross has been hosting a Build-A-Bear fundraiser — donating all the stuffed animals to the ABC Program to be distributed to local underprivileged students.

Guests were invited to visit the Build-A-Bear store at The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel, choose an animal, have it stuffed, pick an outfit and even give it a name. The store’s staff then printed out a ‘birth certificate’ for the child recipient. Monetary donations also were collected, which were put toward building more bears.

The total haul this year for the ABC Program was 161 stuffed animals, said Ross.

Audra Krause, Lisa Moore and Jennie Yingling were happy to ‘build’ stuffed animals to donate to the ABC Program fundraiser, at Build-A-Bear in Wesley Chapel. (Courtesy of Cindy Ross)
Cathy Dileo and her daughter, Olivia, chose several different animals to have stuffed and clothed for the ABC Program fundraiser, at Build-A-Bear in Wesley Chapel. (Cindy Ross)
Fred, left, and Charley were two of the numerous bears chosen, stuffed, clothed and donated to the ABC Program fundraiser at Build-A-Bear, at The Shops at Wiregrass. Participants had the choice to give their animal a name, which was printed on a ‘birth certificate’ for the child recipient. (Mary Rathman)
Barbara Beals has her arms full as she participates in the annual Build-A-Bear fundraiser for the ABC Program for underprivileged students. (Cindy Ross)

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