Colorado State to Raffle Off Extremely Rare Beanie Babies to Fund International Service-Learning Educational Exchange Program

Another three bears story is sure to have a "just right" ending as Colorado State University begins selling tickets to raffle off three rare Ty beanie babies–Britannia Bear, Erin Bear and Princess Bear–to garner funds for an international exchange program which focuses on service-learning.

The Lighthouse Colorado Project is an exchange program in conjunction with the Community Service Volunteers program in the United Kingdom, a nonprofit organization charged with providing a national blueprint for improvements in Citizen Education in the UK. Fort Collins, a community with an investment in service-learning, will play host to 48 students and 12 educators from Great Britain in October to share in joint service-learning activities with students and staff from Colorado State University and the Poudre School District. The themes of this special service-learning experience will be world interdependence, environmental issues, education and intergenerational connections.

The three beanie babies being offered for raffle are authentic Ty beanies. They were purchased in London and all three retain their original British price tags. Of the three, Britannia Bear is considered to be extremely rare. Produced in very limited numbers, it is unavailable for purchase anywhere in the United States. Only one will be offered in the raffle. One Erin Bear and two of the Princess Bears will also be offered. Each bear has a small insignia on its chest: Britannia, in brown plush, wears the British flag; Erin, in green plush, sports a small green shamrock; and Princess, in honor of Diana, Princess of Wales, is embroidered with a white English rose. Proceeds will be used to offset the cost of hosting the 60 visitors. The drawing will be held during the halftime event at the Oct. 24 Colorado State vs. Texas Christian football game at Hughes Stadium.

Raffle tickets will go on sale today through Oct. 22 at two locations: The Associated Students of Colorado State University (ASCSU) and the Office for Service-Learning and Volunteer Programs (formerly the Office of Community Services) in the Lory Student Center. Payments can be made by cash or check only, no credit cards. Tickets are $5 each for Britannia Bear and $2 each for Erin and Princess Bear. There is no limit to the number of tickets individuals can buy.

For more information on tickets, please contact Ellen Obrochta in the Office for Service Learning and Volunteer Programs at 491-1682 OR Eric Berglund in the ASCSU office at (970) 491-5931.