FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 31, 2015
Author’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MarieJoyMonroe
Indiegogo Crowdfunding Campaign: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/buddy-the-soldier-bear-children-s-book-and-bear/x/11751134#/story
BUDDY THE SOLDIER BEAR
A NEW CHILDREN’S BOOK SET TO RELEASE ON VETERAN’S DAY
A bOok that will give back
Buddy the Soldier Bear is the endearing story of a lonely stuffed bear who sits on a shelf in a toy store dreaming of being part of a family and going on adventures. After a long wait, he is purchased by a kind old lady who packs him in a care package and sends him to a deployed soldier. The soldier and his comrades take Buddy on many adventures and he eventually goes home with the soldier and becomes part of a family. All of Buddy’s dreams come true! We want to inspire children to dream big! Buddy the Soldier bear is so much more than just a book and stuffed animal – it’s a movement! Join #BuddysArmy!
This charming tale is the debut of Marie Joy Monroe, the daughter of a WW II veteran and mother of a young man (Ryan Monroe) who served in the Army in Iraq and Afghanistan. Throughout his several deployments, Marie and her grassroots organization, Operation Hugs From Home, sent 1000’s of care packages and letters to soldiers over the years. Marie’s goal was always to make the soldiers feel appreciated, and as if they were receiving a literal hug from home.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 31, 2015
Author’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MarieJoyMonroe
Indiegogo Crowdfunding Campaign: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/buddy-the-soldier-bear-children-s-book-and-bear/x/11751134#/story
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One of the soldiers who was deployed with Marie’s son and received care packages and letters from Marie was Brandon Pollard, the illustrator who brought Buddy to life. Brandon is out of the Army now, and recently graduated from the Portland Art Institute. He is immensely talented. Pollard’s depiction of Buddy and the adventures he went on with the soldiers could only truly be illustrated by a veteran who had served himself.
Marie no longer runs Operation Hugs From Home, but has instead opted to join ranks with the Central AZ3 Blue Star Moms, her local chapter of Blue Star Mothers of America. With them, she still regularly packs care packages, which are shipped to soldiers on a monthly basis. Marie’s hope is to get Buddy printed and many of the stuffed bears made and kick start the business. A portion of the profits will go to Central AZ3 Blue Star Moms and other nonprofit organizations who help soldiers in some manner. She hopes to also partner with an organization that helps soldiers with PTSD. It’s her passion to help soldiers and show them how much we care. With your help, we can launch the book and stuffed bear and help many of our brave warriors. The book also talks about dreams coming true and Marie hopes to inspire children to dream BIG and let them know that their dreams can come true.
Help us to achieve our crowd funding goal so that we can make Buddy the Soldier Bear a reality! For interviews, contact the author, Marie Joy Monroe at 480-229-2509 or mjmonroe1@aol.com.