Twelve Young Leaders Named 2009 Huggable Heroes in Build-A-Bear Workshop Community Service Program

Honorary Judge, Gwen Ifill, Helps Make Final Selection
ST. LOUIS--(Business Wire)--
After months of careful and difficult deliberation by evaluators, including
honorary judge, Gwen Ifill, moderator and managing editor of "Washington Week"
and senior correspondent for "The News Hour with Jim Lehrer" on PBS, twelve
young leaders from the United States and Canada have risen through the ranks to
become the 2009 Huggable Heroes®. Build-A-Bear Workshop® received approximately
900 entries for its sixth annual search rewarding youth for their outstanding
acts of generosity, volunteerism and leadership.

"It is wonderful and inspiring to see our young people accepting the challenge
to take charge and make a difference," said Gwen Ifill, honorary judge. "I was
impressed by the contributions each and every one of them is making to our
world."

This year`s class of Huggable Heroes, ranging in age from seven to 18, is
elevating the bar on giving. Collectively, these dedicated young people have
raised funds and collected items valued at $16 million and have done all this by
volunteering more than 6,000 hours of their time throughout the year, and the
numbers keep rising. The Huggable Heroes` stories range from helping animals and
combating hunger, to supporting military troops, raising funds and awareness for
medical conditions and disabilities, and helping children, countries and
communities in need. And, for the first time in the program`s history, the 2009
class sees its first brother and sister duo as individual winners for the same
project.

The Huggable Heroes will travel to the Build-A-Bear Workshop World Bearquarters
in St. Louis, Missouri, from July 22-24, to meet each other and celebrate,
participate in leadership opportunities and share their stories. Each Huggable
Hero will receive $10,000 USD ($7,500 USD in the form of an educational
scholarship and $2,500 USD from the Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation to be
donated to the 501(c)(3) charity of the hero`s choice).

"We look forward to meeting and learning from this year`s group of Huggable
Heroes," said Maxine Clark, Build-A-Bear Workshop founder and chief executive
bear. "I believe these young people are our future leaders. They demonstrate the
kindness and compassion this world needs to become a better place. We hope
others find inspiration in their stories and are motivated to do something
positive as a result."

2009 Huggable Heroes` Stories

(Information also online at: www.buildabear.com/huggableheroes)

Mimi Ausland, 12, Bend, OR Patrick Pedraja, 13, Palm Harbor, FL

Created two Websites to help collect
Created "Driving For Donors" which aims to

donations to feed homeless dogs and cats increase the number of people on the national

in animal shelters across the country. marrow donor list.

Brittany Bergquist, 18, Norwell, MA
Kaylee Marie Radzyminski, 17, Cleveland, TN

Co-founder with her brother of "Cell Phones
Started "Tunes 4 the Troops" which sends

for Soldiers" which collects used cell phones
donated used and new CDs and DVDs to

and with the funds raised from the recycling
military troops serving in combat zones, to bring

of the phones, buys prepaid calling cards to
a little stress relief.

send to military troops.

Robbie Bergquist, 17, Norwell, MA
Bilaal Rajan, 12, Richmond Hill, ON

Co-founder with his sister of "Cell Phones
Founded "Hands for Help" to heighten

for Soldiers" which collects used cell phones
awareness of youth issues and raise

and with the funds raised from the recycling
funds for children in need.

of the phones, buys prepaid calling cards to

send to military troops.

Christine Crowe, 13, London, ON
Jenny Silver, 12, Cherry Hill, NJ

Started "Chunity" which comes from the
Developed and runs an organization that raises

words children+unity to raise funds for her money to provide teddy bears to children in

local children`s hospital, local women`s need during the holidays.

shelters and to help the homeless.

Kendall Ciesemier, 16, Wheaton, IL
Katie Stagliano, 10, Summerville, SC

Started "Kids Caring 4 Kids" to inspire kids
Created "Launch Katie`s Dream" to help make

to care about others in need and channels sure no child goes hungry.

the funds raised through the organization to

projects that help improve the lives of highly

vulnerable African children.

Cody McCasland, 7, Colleyville, TX
Max Wallack, 12, Natick, MA

Raises awareness on the abilities of
Founded PuzzlesToRemember, which
individuals with disabilities.
collects and distributes puzzles to help

Alzheimer`s and dementia patients.

Huggable Heroes Program Background

In 2004, Build-A-Bear Workshop® launched the Huggable Heroes® program, each year
searching for and recognizing young people making a difference in their
communities and/or worldwide. Huggable Heroes are young leaders who demonstrate
strong levels of kindness, compassion and leadership to help make the world a
better place.

From January 16 through February 27, 2009, Build-A-Bear Workshop accepted
nominations for Huggable Heroes. Hundreds of young leaders were nominated for
their volunteer and community service efforts. Entries were narrowed down to a
field of 208 semi-finalists, 50 finalists and ultimately these twelve Huggable
Heroes.

About Build-A-Bear Workshop®

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. is the leading and only global company that offers
an interactive make-your-own stuffed animal retail-entertainment experience.
Founded in 1997, the company and its franchisees currently operate more than 400
Build-A-Bear Workshop® stores worldwide, including company-owned stores in the
United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and France, and
franchise stores in Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa. In 2007, the interactive
experience was enhanced - all the way to CyBEAR space - with the launch of
buildabearville.com, the company`s virtual world stuffed with fun. The company
was named to the 2009 FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For list.

Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE: BBW) posted total revenue of $468 million in fiscal
2008. For more information, call 888.560.BEAR (2327) or visit the company`s
award-winning Web site at www.buildabear.com.

TRADEMARKS

We would like to thank you for your interest in covering our business. As you
write your story, we wouldask that you use our full name: Build-A-Bear
Workshop®and that when referencing the processof making stuffed animals you use
the word "make" not "build."

Build-A-Bear Workshop is our well-known trade name and our registered trademark
of Build-A-Bear Retail Management, Inc.Build-A-Bear Workshop®should only be used
in capital letters to refer to our products and services and should not be used
as a verb.

Blick and Staff
Wendy Bain, 314-727-5700, ext. 110
wendyb@blickandstaff.com
or
Julie Frank, 314-727-5700, ext. 113
julief@blickandstaff.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009