Zellers Iconic Mascot Zeddy Finds New Home With Camp Trillium

- Retailer finds 'forever home' through facebook adoption campaign before closing its doors -

TORONTO, Nov. 16, 2012 /CNW/ - After three weeks and almost 30,000 votes, Canadians have found a new home for Zeddy. The beloved mascot is now an official member of Camp Trillium after fans voted in Zellers' final facebook campaign EVERYTHING MUST GO!, marking an end to almost three decades with his Zellers family.

The adoption effort is just one part of Zellers' last community outreach. The retailer is also donating $27,800 in HBC gift cards and Zeddy plush toys to more than 20 Canadian not-for-profit organizations this holiday season to support their local charitable initiatives.

Zeddy has been supporting local communities and charities since he was born, and hopes to continue that tradition in his new home. Zellers put out a call to Canadians to nominate worthy charitable organizations to adopt the lovable bear mascot, and was flooded with nominations. The contest was then narrowed down to three: Autism Ontario, Camp Trillium and Cystic Fibrosis Canada, and through fan voting Camp Trillium came out on top, winning $5,000 and the honour of becoming Zeddy's official adoptive family.

Zeddy is excited to make the move to such a great organization, and make new friends with kids at Camp Trillium, who are living with cancer. Zeddy will take on a new name, Barry and enjoy fun-filled days of swimming, kayaking, arts and crafts, and many other camp activities.  Zeddy's job will be to help these children undergoing cancer treatment to have fun, feel special and get away from the everyday.

"We can't thank Canadians enough for nominating and voting for such worthy charitable organizations for Zeddy to begin the next chapter of his life with," says Debbie Ford, Senior Vice President, Merchandising & Marketing. "Zeddy's role with Zellers has also been to support Canadian communities, and this campaign was conceived to ensure that continued. His legacy is making people smile, feel good and supporting their charitable efforts. Camp Trillium is a great fit for him, and I'm sure he'll be a valuable partner in helping them move their cause forward."

"We couldn't be more thrilled to adopt Zeddy and give him a new home," says Fiona Fisher, Director of Fundraising, Camp Trillium. "The children who go to Camp Trillium do so to get away from cancer, and just be kids. I believe they are going to fall in love with our new life-size bear, and I'm sure he will become the most exciting councillor we have!"

About Hudson's Bay Company

Hudson's Bay Company ("HBC"), founded in 1670, is North America's longest continually operated company and is a leading retailer offering a wide selection of branded merchandise in Canada and the United States through its three banners. In the United States, HBC operates Lord & Taylor, a fashion department store with 48 full-line store locations throughout the northeastern United States and in two major cities in the Midwest. In Canada, HBC operates Hudson's Bay, Canada's largest national branded department store with 90 locations.  HBC also operates Home Outfitters, a kitchen, bed and bath superstore with 69 locations. With approximately 29,000 associates in Canada and the U.S., Hudson's Bay Company banners provide stylish, quality merchandise at great value and with a dedicated focus on exceeding customers' expectations.

Video with caption: "Video: Zellers Iconic Mascot Zeddy Finds New Home With Camp Trillium". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20121116_C8835_VIDEO_EN_20799.mp4&posterurl=http://photos.newswire.ca/images/20121116_C8835_PHOTO_EN_20799.jpg&clientName=Zellers%20Inc%2E&caption=Video%3A%20Zellers%20Iconic%20Mascot%20Zeddy%20Finds%20New%20Home%20With%20Camp%20Trillium&title=ZELLERS%20INC%2E%20%2D%20Zellers%20Iconic%20Mascot%20Zeddy%20Finds%20New%20Home%20With%20Camp%20Trillium&headline=Zellers%20Iconic%20Mascot%20Zeddy%20Finds%20New%20Home%20With%20Camp%20Trillium

SOURCE: Zellers Inc.

Media Contact:

Michelle Kennedy
Communications Specialist
Hudson's Bay Company
905-595-7239
[email protected]