Weber State DECA has partnered with Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) DECA to help raise money for the 5^th annual “Build a Bear for Shriner’s Children Hospital.” The annual event takes place during the month of November where donations are collected and then used to build teddy bears at the Build a Bear Workshop which are then donated to patients at Shriner’s Children Hospital. 

Shriner’s Children Hospital is an organization which provides children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate medical care in a family-centered environment, regardless of the patients’ ability to pay. Their mission is to provide the highest quality of care to children through the latest use of treatment and technology available.  

WSU DECA decided to raise money for the children by sponsoring a pumpkin bowling charity event in the Shepherd Union Building on October 15.The event consisted of throwing pumpkins at bowling pins in an attempt to get a strike. If you bowled a strike then you got a piece of candy. There were many different shapes and sizes of pumpkins to choose from. Selecting the right kind of pumpkin for your bowling style was crucial if you wanted to roll a strike. 

After the participants bowled they were asked to make a donation towards Shriner’s Children Hospital. Thanks to all of the caring and willing participants, WSU DECA was able to raise nearly $300 during the fun day-long event which featured many strikes and broken pumpkins. 

SLCC DECA sponsored two events to raise money for Shriner’s Children Hospital including a late night ice skating event at the Salt Lake County Ice Center and a Harley Davidson motor cycle ride from the Timpanogas Harley Davidson in Lindon to Shriner’s Children Hospital in downtown Salt Lake City. 

100% of donations collected will go towards building bears at the Build a Bear Workshop. The bears will be made on December 14^th and given to patients at Shriner’s Children Hospital the same day. Patients who receive bears are overjoyed by the gifts given to them by caring strangers. The bears help to brighten up their holidays and provide emotional support during their stay at the hospital.  

Originally written by Adrien Covington