What do Grammy award-winning singer Natalie Cole, Camp Rock star Meaghan Martin and David Archuleta of “American Idol” fame have in common? They all have joined the 2009 Love. Hugs. Peace. movement, a global giving campaign created by Build-A-Bear Workshop that offers young people around the world fun and simple ways to give back.
These artists have added their vocal talents to the movement’s signature song, “Let’s Talk About Love,” each creating a special rendition that helps spread the message of sharing and love and benefits Save the Children.
“When Build-A-Bear Workshop invited me to be part of its Love. Hugs. Peace. movement, I couldn’t resist,” said Natalie Cole, the latest artist to support the cause. “As a mom, I always tried to instill in my son the importance of giving back. The Love. Hugs. Peace. movement teaches that lesson beautifully.”
Cole’s adult contemporary version of “Let’s Talk About Love” will be released on Saturday, May 2, to celebrate Mother’s Day; Martin’s more pop-style take on the song debuted last week. Archuleta’s ballad-type song variation, unveiled in February, is still available, and additional artists are set to jump on board to record the song as the movement continues throughout the year.
Kids (and adults) can visit www.buildabear.com/lovehugspeace or any participating Build-A-Bear Workshop store and receive a free download card of “Let’s Talk About Love” performed by the artist of their choice as a thank you for their $1 donation to Save the Children. From April 17 through April 30, for each Meaghan Martin song download, Build-A-Bear Workshop will match donations up to an additional $10,000 USD to Save the Children.
To date, with the help of its guests, Build-A-Bear Workshop has already raised more than $100,000 to support Save the Children. In addition, nearly 150,000 kids from around the world have joined the movement at www.buildabear.com/lovehugspeace and made a love, hugs or peace pledge to do something small to make the world a better place. Whether it’s making a promise to volunteer time to a cause, share a special moment with a friend, assist a grandparent or elderly person, write a thank you note or help save the earth, young people are accepting the challenge to do their part to make a difference one act of kindness at a time.
“Love. Hugs. Peace. is about how everyone, no matter how young or old they are, can help to make the world a better place,” said Maxine Clark, founder and chief executive bear of Build-A-Bear Workshop and mastermind behind the movement. “Together friends can make a world of difference, and it can all start with a hug and a song!”
