Most philanthropists write checks Judd Zebersky wrote checks and then made toys. That distinction captures something important about the giving model the Jazwares founder built over nearly three decades as CEO of one of the world’s leading toy companies.
Zebersky created Jazwares Cares as a structural part of the company from its founding in 1997. The program grew to include donation drives, school partnerships, and employee volunteer efforts across multiple countries. But what set Zebersky’s approach apart was his willingness to use Jazwares’ core product capabilities directly in service of charitable goals.
Comfort Objects for Young Patients
At Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, where Judd Zebersky and Laura Zebersky donated $2 million toward an expansion that doubled the facility’s floor count, the couple also worked with hospital staff to develop a Lotsy Dotsy doll. The doll was modeled after the hospital’s resident clown and made specifically to comfort children during their stays. The product donation complemented the financial gift in a way that only a toy company could offer.
Jazwares extended that product-driven approach through its partnership with Make-A-Wish. The company created Star, a Squishmallow designed for children with serious illnesses, and donated more than 10,000 units to Make-A-Wish chapters across the United States and Canada.
Sustained Organizational Involvement
Laura Zebersky served on the Make-A-Wish Southern Florida board from 2019, becoming chair in 2022. The couple funded more than 100 individual wishes and supported the InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball, which raised over $5 million. Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital recognized the family’s support by naming both the Pediatric Emergency Department Registration Area and the Outpatient Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Unit in their honor. Judd Zebersky stepped down as CEO on March 20, 2026, leaving those programs in place. See related link for more information.
Learn more about Judd Zebersky on https://www.linkedin.com/posts/university-of-miami-school-of-law_judd-and-laura-zebersky-jd-93-toymakers-activity-7249433715506843648-E0Af