Illustration of a green witch in a blue hat and robe, with orange text on a black background.  

Company founder Russ Berrie started his business with $500, he rented a garage in Palisades Park, New Jersey, and launched his own firm named after himself. Berrie intended to design, market, and distribute “impulse” gift items. From the start, Russ Berrie & Company produced a string of hit products that quickly found their way onto countertops, desks and dashboards across the country. Among the company’s earliest creations: Fuzzy Wuzzies (tiny fur ball-like critters bearing messages like “You’re My Best Friend” or “Wild Thing”), troll dolls (squat gnomes with plumes of brightly colored hair) and the Bupkis Family (a motley collection of endearingly ugly rubber figurines). The owner believed in the power of “transformational giving,” partnering with energetic, visionary leaders to change the world for the better. He took an entrepreneurial approach to philanthropy, using his keen interpersonal skills to identify people and causes in which to invest and working closely with partners to hone strategies and set expectations.  “There is nothing more important in life than helping a fellow human being.” — Russell Berrie (1933-2002)

Illustration of Frankenstein in brown clothes holding a yellow sign with black text on a purple background with candy corn on it.

This button was made by World Fun Inc. sometime after 1981 when the company began to design and sell materials for Halloween. Fun World Inc is a division of the larger corporation, Easter Unlimited, Inc which specializes in products for American Holidays.

Illustration of a green witch with orange hair, black dress and purple cape on a yellow background with a black cauldron with yellow text on it.

This button was made by World Fun Inc. sometime after 1981 when the company began to design and sell materials for Halloween. Fun World Inc is a division of the larger corporation, Easter Unlimited, Inc which specializes in products for American Holidays.

Black text on an orange background

Black text on an orange background

Illustration of a white ghost with yellow eyes over yellow and orange text on a purple background.

This button was made by World Fun Inc. sometime after 1981 when the company began to design and sell materials for Halloween. Fun World Inc is a division of the larger corporation, Easter Unlimited, Inc which specializes in products for American Holidays.

White bubble text on a black background

"Boo" is a phrase used as an interjection that was meant to either surprise or frighten. “BOO” comes from  the Middle English “bo”, same meaning, which was used in writing as early as the 1500s. Boo has been associated with Halloween and the noise a ghost makes when scaring someone. People attempting to scare others may hide and jump out exclaiming, "Boo."

Illustration of an orange, black, and green jack-o-lantern on a purple background with orange text.  

“Be afraid. Be very afraid” is a popular quote from the 1986 horror film The Fly. It is said by Geena Davis’ character Veronica in a scene where she emphasizes the danger presented by Jeff Goldblum’s character, the titular The Fly. The now famous quote was actually added to the script after Blazing Saddles director Mel Brooks suggested it to The Fly’s director David Cronenberg. In addition to including it in the film, the quote was also used as the film’s tagline. 

Company founder Russ Berrie started his eponymous business with $500 in a rented garage in Palisades Park, New Jersey. Berrie intended to design, market, and distribute “impulse” gift items. From the start, Russ Berrie & Company produced a string of hit products that quickly found their way onto countertops, desks and dashboards across the country. Among the company’s earliest creations: Fuzzy Wuzzies (tiny fur ball-like critters bearing messages like “You’re My Best Friend” or “Wild Thing”), troll dolls (squat gnomes with plumes of brightly colored hair) and the Bupkis Family (a motley collection of endearingly ugly rubber figurines). The owner believed in the power of “transformational giving,” partnering with energetic, visionary leaders to change the world for the better. He took an entrepreneurial approach to philanthropy, using his keen interpersonal skills to identify people and causes in which to invest and working closely with partners to hone strategies and set expectations.  “There is nothing more important in life than helping a fellow human being.” — Russell Berrie (1933-2002)

Red text around a photograph of a camel's head on a yellow background

In 1934, members of the Zor Shriners in Madison, Wisconsin, decided to develop something unique as a means of garnering attention in the annual Shriners’ parade. The result was the purchase of three camels and the development of the Zor Camel Patrol, the purpose of which was to care for and train them. The idea to use camels (which are found on the emblem of the Zor Shrine chapter) was suggested by Mrs. Rufu F. Wells.

In 1937, several members traveled to Syria to acquire genuine trappings and equipment to assist in caring for and dressing the camels. They were housed at the Vilas Park Zoo, where free rides are still given to children each Sunday.

Black text and an illustration of two women holding hands on a bright pink background

In the summer of 1989, a convoy of seventy women traveled from the United States to Central America to provide humanitarian aid to women in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Due to the political and economic climate at the time, many citizens were left lacking basic necessities such as food and medical supplies, so the Women’s Convoy to Central America was developed as a means of coordinating relief efforts between women’s groups in the affected regions and abroad. The slogan for the convoy was “Between women, there are no boundaries,” and the trip lasted for approximately five weeks.