From the Halls of Montezuma to the Shores of Tripoli … and Fifth Avenue: U.S. Marines Corps Reserves Step Up to Active Duty as they Join Build-A-Bear Workshop^® To Kick Off Holiday Toy Drive

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Having already donated 325,000 furry friends this past year to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots program – one of the largest donations in Toys for Tots history – representatives from Build-A-Bear Workshop^®, local school children and U.S. Marines took a moment to celebrate the milestone and kick off a national toy drive for Toys for Tots. The toy drive will take place this weekend, Nov. 15 and 16, at Build-A-Bear Workshop stores across the country.

“Every contribution helps us fulfill the holiday wishes of many needy children this season throughout the United States.”

At the morning kick off event, which took place at the retailer’s flagship Fifth Avenue location, the Marines enlisted the help of 30 local third graders to make the year’s first bears that will be used to spread teddy bear hugs to children in need in New York and across the country this holiday season.

“This holiday we feel it is especially important to make certain children have a happy holiday and enjoy the warmth and comfort of a teddy bear hug,” said Maxine Clark, founder and chief executive bear of Build-A-Bear Workshop. “We have supported Toys for Tots for a number of years and are pleased to enhance our partnership this year and provide our Guests with an opportunity to help this worthwhile organization.”

Over the course of the weekend, Marines will be on-hand in Build-A-Bear Workshop stores to answer questions, collect toys and make sure the items donated get into the hands of children in need this holiday season. People across the country are encouraged to drop off a new, unwrapped toy at Build-A-Bear Workshop stores in the United States and Puerto Rico. Furry friends will also be available for purchase in-store that can be donated on the spot.

In addition to its national toy drive this weekend, Build-A-Bear Workshop^® will continue its support for Toys for Tots throughout the month of December. All money raised from the sale of purple satin hearts will be directed by the Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. The $1 purple satin hearts are available nationwide at Build-A-Bear Workshop stores and online at www.buildabear.com.

“We are honored that Build-A-Bear Workshop and its Guests are such generous supporters of Toys for Tots,” said retired Marine Corps Major William Grein, vice president, marketing and development for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “Every contribution helps us fulfill the holiday wishes of many needy children this season throughout the United States.”

About Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc., is the only global company that offers an interactive make-your-own stuffed animal retail-entertainment experience. The Company currently operates more than 400 Build-A-Bear Workshop^® stores worldwide, including company-owned stores in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and France, and franchise stores in Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa. Founded in St. Louis in 1997, Build-A-Bear Workshop is the leader in interactive retail. Brands include make-your-own Major League Baseball^® mascot in-stadium locations, Build-A-Dino^® stores and friends 2B made^® doll locations. In December 2007, Build-A-Bear Workshop extended its in-store interactive experience online with the launch of its virtual world at www.buildabearville.com. Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE: BBW) posted total revenue of $474 million in fiscal 2007. For more information, call 888.560.BEAR (2327) or visit the Company’s award-winning Web sites at www.buildabear.com and www.friends2bmade.com.

About Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation

The Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity committed to improving and impacting lives through meaningful philanthropic programs and causes for children and families. The Foundation’s goals are to increase public awareness of children’s health and wellness programs and to support related research education and treatment programs. The Foundation also supports programs which promote literacy and education, the preservation of endangered animals and their habitats, domestic animal shelters, disaster relief programs and environmental concerns.

About Toys for Tots

The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is a not for profit organization authorized by the U.S. Marine Corps and the Department of Defense to provide fundraising and other necessary support for the annual Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. Now in its 61st year, Toys for Tots provides joy and a message of hope to economically disadvantaged children through the gift of a new toy during the Christmas holiday season. Our gifts offer these children recognition and a positive memory they will cherish for a lifetime. Many of the gifts we provide, such as books, games and sports equipment, make a significant contribution to the educational, social and recreational development of these children. In 2007, Marines distributed gifts to 7.5 million children in over 600 communities nationwide. The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation relies on individual donations from the American public, as well as support from corporate sponsors.

TRADEMARKS

We would like to thank you for your interest in covering our business. As you write your story, we would ask that you use our full name: Build-A-Bear Workshop^® and that when referencing the process of 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.