BEANIE BABIES PLAY
A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE IN
COMMUNITY SERVICE:
How often is it that you find a product which half the
population can relate to? Many of us can still remember Pet Rocks,
Trolls, Chipmunks, etc. Elmo, although popular at one time, can
now be found everywhere at normal price. Beanie Babies, on the
other hand are still going strong. Ty, Inc. has struggled with
marketing policies, warehouse space problems and millions of individuals
screaming "We want Beanie Babies......Where are my orders?"
In my opinion, I believe Ty has now come to the realization
that this product will have a shelf life as long as they want
it. I also believe that they continually monitor public opinion
at all times. Ty is, in my opinion, concerned about public opinion
and if at all possible, would like to address each and every issue.
Unfortunately it's simply not possible.
Maybe one day I'll be fortunate and Ty Warner will grant me
an exclusive. It would definitely be the story of a lifetime.
Imagine: Internet Reporter - In Depth Interview with Ty Warner.
It's never been done, but there is a first time for everything.
As a reporter, it's my job to keep up with all of the latest
Beanie news. I'm not as concerned about scooping a story as I
am about getting the facts right. I believe one's reputation is
based on accuracy. There have been times when I have had to revise
a story due to new information. If an individual wishes to report
news, they need to update that same news as the situation changes.
In my opinion, it's always wise to report both sides of the issues.
I also feel that you must gain respect and integrity as a reporter.
Individuals do not take kindly to being misquoted. I always explain
up front what my terms are before conducting an interview. If
the story sounds far fetched, I demand proof. If an individual
has displayed an enormous amount of negativity, I normally choose
not to post the story. I always resubmit my stories back to the
individuals for approval before posting.
My role as collector and reporter have now been extended.
Now that my book has been completed,
I have been using this opportunity to help others. I'm sponsoring
a donation drive for a local hospital. This information can be
viewed under Potomac Hospital Donation Drive. My goal is to insure
that all children who are admitted or treated in the emergency
ward at Potomac Hospital, receive a free Beanie.
I've also worked with a local McDonalds. McDonalds was kind
enough to allow me to have a book signing at one of their locations.
The evening included crafts, free ice cream, and Happy Meals for
99 cents. Lot's of Beanie conversation was included, and I provided
and drew tickets every ten minutes for two hours and gave away
Beanie Babies. Half of the proceeds from the books sales went
to The Ronald McDonald House.
I also have had a book signing at Elmtree in Manassas, VA,
where Beanies were raffled off at a dollar a chance. Many individuals
purchased $25.00 and $30.00 worth of tickets; these proceeds went
to the St. Judes Hospital. I am also working with area schools.
In some cases I have donated signed copies of my book along with
Beanies to be raffled off. The proceeds from these raffles were
given to the school in it's entirety. In November, I will be conducting
a book signing at Potomac Mills Mall in Woodbridge, VA at Books
A Million. I will provide and raffle off 20 current Beanie Babies
along with five retired Beanie Babies. The proceeds from the raffles
will be awarded to Potomac Hospital's Children's Ward.
Many individuals have gotten involved by using Beanies to
help others. Please take this opportunity to view their stories
and consider getting involved yourself.
Here is info about our charity drive (BTW we make our first
delivery this Wednesday!):
We are so blessed, yet all too often we take our health, our
good fortune, our parents, our love -- even the fact that we are
loved, for granted. The very fact that you are even reading this
on the Internet right now means that statistically you are among
the more affluent average American. Not all American children
are so fortunate. Why not share our bounty this upcoming holiday
season?
I am in contact with Ms. Deborah Benjamin, the Resources Coordinator
for the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services
Adoption Division. There are over 5,000 children there waiting
for adoption. 3,500 of them are the Beanie appropriate age (3
or over). These children sure could use a friend, and we all know
that Beanies make great pals. The Beanie Philes hopes to raise
3,500 Beanie friends for these children by December 25. They do
not care what brand of Beanie you send -- I'm sure all will be
loved equally! If you are interested in donating a brand new,
unused Beanie, please send it to:
Suzy Haghighi
329 South Rexford Drive # 3
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
*Please don't forget to include a note with your name, address,
and the Beanie(s) you are donating so that the Department of Children
and Family Services may provide you with a donation receipt for
tax deduction purposes.
Please also note that this is my mailing address. Ms. Benjamin
has asked that I collect the Beanies and drop them off at the
Department of Children and Family Services once a week (or whenever
I have a boxfull) to save her and her staff time. I encourage
you to verify this with Deborah Benjamin of the Department of
Children and Family Services at (213) 351-6619. Ms. Benjamin is
sending us a letter with the Los Angeles County seal on it, which
we will scan and post for you to read to further verify. Your
donation is tax deductible; you will be sent a donation receipt
for tax purposes.
In appreciation of your kind and giving spirit, upon receipt
of your gift your name (and your store's name if you are a retailer)
will be placed on our Beanie Angel Giving Board If every Beanie
Philer Donates One Beanie We Will Reach Our Goal!
The Beanie Philes
The Collector's Source for Information, Trading, Contests, and
More http://www.beaniephiles.com
We donate beanies and plush to several local churches and
schools, and other fund raising events. One that we have helped
to "promote" is very different.
We, in the upstate of South Carolina are fortunate enough
to have our very own petting zoo and theme park. It is not maintained
by any local government or municipality. It is family owned and
operated. The owners of "Hollywild" are animal trainers,
and you will see many of their "critters" in movies
and commercials. The theme park recently held a Beanie auction
to raise money to fund the building of an animal nursery and hospital
for their many "critters". We supported it, and many
of our Club members attended and helped promote the event. The
owners of this theme park are very active in the community, and
donate much time and money working with children. They sponsor
ball teams, and host banquets, and take a "hands on"
kind of involvement, which is not often seen in the business world
today.
It was fun and rewarding .......helping in some small way
to bring about the facilities these real life critters needed.....a
nursery!
Although we don't have a "Beanie Baby" Website,
we are on line, and our E-mail address is gumpysfarm@aol.com
(original, Huh?)
Our address is:
Gumpy's Farm
19 Mill Street
Inman, SC 29349
Thank you for the opportunity to let others know about how
Beanies are helping charities.
Rosie's is a Beanie store in Canton, Illinois. Recently, one
of the city firemen was killed in a training exercise. He left
behind a wife and three young children. Dealing with the death
of husband and father would have been enough of a challenge to
any family, however, fate dealt them another tragic blow. It was
discovered that one of the children, a young boy, has leukemia.
Rosie's held a benefit this past October 4. For each donation
received, tickets were given for a drawing for Peace, the new
tie-dyed bear. The Moines were recently given to the Canton Fire
Department to forward onto the widow.
If you would like to donate and assist this family through
a difficult financial period, or to convey your sympathy and support,
you may send to: Denise Strube, c/o Rosie Wells Enterprises, Inc.,
22341 E. Wells Road, Canton, IL 61520.
Whether you choose to host a benefit, or send one of these
little critters to someone who is going through a difficult time,
remember the love and concern shared by this Beanie will come
back to you!
Sincerely,
Rosie Wells
Date: Mon, 20 Oct 1997 12:10:47 -0400
From: World BB News/Info <105541.2550@compuserve.com>
Sender: World BB News/
While we do not support a specific charity, I do post information
from various sources on donations.
Thanks.
Date: Thur, 30 Oct 1997 10:10:11
From: The BBBClub
Like Beanie Dad, here at the BBBClub, we don't support any
one individual charity, but attempt to aid/post/help youth oriented
charities at all times. Hey....we're a KIDS site!!! :)
Having
personally gone through MORE than enough grief in hospitals with
our own children, I can't urge you strongly enough to support
the Children's charity of your choice. Do it today. The Charities
appreciate it, the Kids appreciate it, and YOU'LL have the opportunity
to make a positive impact on the world around you.
Randy Jones
BeanieMaster, BBBClub
http://www.neteach.net/~rjones/index.html
From: Linda Ray Children's Center
HI Janie,
I would like let you know that we are a childrens charity
( a national pilot program) and have been at this for 10 years.
We just got into using Beanie Babies to help us raise money for
the children and have found that it really works wonderfully.
Children are able to do something to help other children, and
as adults we can encourage them not only to be grateful for what
they have, but to share with others. We collect our beanies from
many, many sources which, again, includes a lot of people in our
efforts. We are totally a volunteer organization. None of the
money raised goes to salaries or overhead of any kind!! We also
accept donations of childrens loved beanies; other children enjoy
someone elses "pet".
I hope that you will visit our site at
Halfway down the page is our beanie fundraiser, and small as it
is, you'd be amazed at the amount of diapers and baby food that
we have been able to get with the help of so many great, loving
and generous people online!!
Thank you,
Linda Ray
President Infants In Need/Linda Ray Childrens
Center
TY'S SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!
As of October 29, l997 Ty announced that it
would be releasing a new Beanie Baby by the name of Princess.
Princess is a purple teddy bear with a white long stem rose, this
bear is in loving memory of Diana, Princess of Wales.
PRINCESS Like an angel, she came from heaven
above
She shared her compassion, her pain, her love
She only stayed with us long enough to teach
The world to share, to give, to reach.
All profits of Ty from this collectible will be donated to
the
DIANA, PRINCESS OF WALES MEMORIAL FUND.
My prayer is that everyone who views this article will understand
the importance of it. Ty, along with many other individuals are
trying to make this world a better place to survive in. I'm also
hoping that the Secondary market will back off of Princess. Ty
created this Beanie in memory of a very special individual; it
should not be used as a ploy to gain profit.
