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Largest Donation in History Made to Tennessee's Military Families Fund

Smoky Mountain Attraction Contributes Four Times More Than Largest Previous Donation

NASHVILLE, Tenn, Aug. 31, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Boyds Bear Country, the "World's Most Humongous Teddy Bear Store" in Pigeon Forge, is extending its support of Tennessee's military families with the largest donation ever to the National Guard's statewide family support fund.

The $10,000 donation, 16 times larger than the fund's current balance, and four times that of the largest previous contribution, will allow the Enlisted Association of the National Guard's (EANGTN) Auxiliary to continue assisting military families with emergent needs.

"This is a tremendous help to soldiers and their families who might encounter a hardship brought on by any number of factors," said Anne Story, president of the EANGTN Auxiliary, dedicated to helping families of the enlisted National Guard.

"The transition to active duty causes problems for some; others may not be able to return to work immediately after duty," Story said. "A donation of this size helps keep these problems to a minimum and allows us to impact families throughout Tennessee."

The $10,000 donation resulted from Boyds Bear Country's months-long military fundraising campaign. The 120,000-square-foot Pigeon Forge store, which opened less than a year ago, is one of Tennessee's most visited tourism attractions and among the most trafficked in the Southeast. More than one million guests are expected in 2005.

Throughout the months of May and June, employees of the store's 500-seat restaurant volunteered 100% of the tips they received throughout the two months. Additionally, customers donated at checkout registers and donation boxes throughout the store.

Through the years, numerous corporate and civic groups have contributed to the Auxiliary fund. For example, the city of Smyrna contributed $2,500 in 2003, though most donations fall within the hundreds. The fund's perpetually low balance limits single benefits to $200 per family.

Typically, checks are paid directly to a service provider or cause with the EANGTN Auxiliary reviewing each request. All requests are processed through the soldier's chain of command with an endorsement by the unit First Sergeant, or designated representative.

Presently, more than 4,000 Tennesseans are deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom or dozens of other high-risk training, security or conflict operations worldwide.

"The men and women from all corners of Tennessee are digging in deeper every day to fight for our freedom," said Will Edwards, manager of the 110,000-square-foot Boyds Bear Country. "In our own way here, we dug a little deeper, too."

High-resolution product photos available: contact mark@thinkmediainc.com

About Boyds Bear Country

Boyds Bear Country is "the World's Most Humongous Teddy Bear Store," a 120,000-square-foot shopping and entertainment complex in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The store's four floors of merchandise, its 500-seat restaurant, adopt-a-bear nursery and "make-yer-own" Bear Factory make it one of the most visited tourism attractions in Tennessee. More can be found at www.boydsstuff.com

The Boyds Collection, Ltd. logo can be viewed by clicking here: http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=1274

CONTACT:  ThinkMEDIA
          Mark Thien
          Phone: (615) 297-7744
          mark@thinkmediainc.com