SAB hosts Build-A-Bear workshop

Photos: Sarah Andrews

Thanks to the Student Activities Board, cute and cuddly valentines were available to students for cheap on Friday.

For just $5, Build-a-Bear teddy bears were available for purchase and stuffing on the Hubbell North stage on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. Students also had the option to fashion their bears with teddy-bear-sized Drake T-shirts. The shirts could be decorated at one of the Valentine-decorating tables to make an even sweeter, personalized gift
First-year journalism and fine arts student Mark Lesser took advantage of the event and made a bear for his girlfriend for Valentine’s Day.

“It’s a nice, simple way to show my affection, and I know she’ll love it,” Lesser said. “Valentine’s Day is all about letting her know how special she is.”

Valentine’s Day wasn’t the only reason to take advantage of the event. Madeline Matthews, a first-year education major, opted to make a bear for herself.

“I built a bear for my birthday this year, and I remember it cost a lot more. This was a great price,” she said.

First-year students Erin Cella, Jordan Emrick and Hilary Gibney also took advantage of the low cost. They made bears for each other and decorated the shirts as a fun valentine weekend activity.

The Build-a-Bear bears run anywhere from $10-22 online and in stores. The variety of bears at the event wasn’t quite as extensive as Build-a-Bear offers in its stores, but the classic bears were available in several colors for only $5.

Most were available to be self-stuffed, but the cream and brown bears came pre-stuffed. SAB Entertainment Co-Chair Allie LeClair, a junior journalism major, thought the event was a success.

“It’s a fun on-campus event and a great way to make valentines,” she said.

Only 19 bears were left at the end of the event, and the remaining bears were sold at SAB’s Live Group Sex Therapy event on Friday and the Megan Burtt concert on Saturday.

SAB has done similar events in the past, but this was the first time they worked with the Build-a-Bear company for this event.

“They do events like this a lot on other campuses, so they were very cooperative,” LeClair said.

Although the pre-stuffed classic Build-a-Bears were a hit, LeClair thought students preferred the do-it-yourself approach.

“We went a different route this year with the pre-stuffed bears, but the ones you got to stuff yourself went a little faster,” she said.

If you missed out on the event, and you still want to make a bear of your own, visit www.buildabear.com or head to the nearest location in West Des Moines at the Jordan Creek Mall.