Lorraine Lawrence has loved Beanie Babies ever since she first saw them 20 years ago.
“How could you not fall in love with their little faces?” she said, showing off some of the collection, including the popular Princess Di Bear, honouring the Princess of Wales and now valued at hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Now, though, it’s time for other people to enjoy the Babies and raise money for the pediatric ward at Vernon Jubilee Hospital.
“I wanted this to go to something that helps children. Two of my grandchildren and my sister’s grandchild have been in B.C. Children’s Hospital. VJH helps children before and after they are at Children’s Hospital so this seemed like a good thing to do to help.”
Lawrence went through her collection of more then 600 Beanie Babies, two pickup truckloads of them, kept some for herself, let her grandchildren pick favourites, and prepared to say good-bye to the rest.
Some of the Babies, which include almost every animal anyone could think of, are in their original packages and all, including standard toy size and ornament size, are in perfect condition. Lawrence’s collection includes many items from the United States and Europe that were never available in Canada. She has priced them all.
“This is the true spirit of giving,” said Andrea Egan, development officer for the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation. “Lorraine is a very special lady and this is a wonderful opportunity and a fun event to get gifts and benefit the hospital.”
Lawrence will be at The Schubert Centre Nov. 12 from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. For more information, please call her at 250-548-3714.
