IMAGEN Brands, parent company of industry suppliers Crown Products (PPAI 113430, S10) and Vitronic (PPAI 114197, S10), is donating a percentage of the sales of its Hey Buddy Bear teddy bear to The National League of Nursing’s (NLN) education foundation. Comprised of 40,000 individuals and 1,200 institutional members, the NLN is the oldest nursing organization in the United States and the voice for nursing education at all levels—vocational nursing to doctorates.

“During this time, we know that nurses are some of the critical heroes, and we want to contribute to help new and existing nurses pursue their careers. We appreciate all the special people who are helping us get through this situation,” says Paul Lage, MAS, president of IMAGEN Brands.

The company’s Hey Buddy Bear was created last year in memory of Francis “Fran” Ford, Jr., CAS, president of supplier Castelli, a division of Magnet, LLC, and 2015 PPAI Hall of Fame inductee, who passed away in May 2018. Ford was known for his memorable greeting, “Hey buddy!” Sales of the bear have been used to raise funds for other causes, including the Promotional Products Education Foundation (PPEF).

IMAGEN Brands, along with the other businesses under parent company EBSCO Industries, are making donations to local communities, including sourcing and providing face masks, developing online learning centers for parents, teachers and students, and donating to community funds and local food banks.