HAPPY INTERNATIONAL TIGER DAY! ~ Jul 29
ROAR-some ways to get involved
ROAR! It’s me, Courage Tiger – and July 29th is a very special day: International Tiger Day!
EVERYONE:
Help me be a companion to a child’s courage! A special gift you can purchase to brighten the day of a Beads of Courage member.
Join me in a DREAM session! Embrace the power of creativity, relaxation, and mindfulness with our Tiger DREAM Activity!
TIGER TEAMS AND FANS:
If you are a professional or collegiate athlete, student, or a fan of a team with a tiger mascot, Show YOUR Fierce support by snapping a photo in your tiger gear and/or sharing words of encouragement for Beads of Courage Members in the hospital.
NOTABLE TIGER MASCOTS
- Detroit Tigers – Paws The Tiger
- Auburn University – Aubie the Tiger
- Clemson University – SC The Tiger
- Louisiana State University – Mike the Tiger
- University of Missouri – Truman the Tiger
- University of Memphis – TN Pouncer
- Grambling State University – Eddie the Tiger
- Jackson State University – Wave the Tiger
- Tennessee State University – TSU Tiger
- Towson University – Doc the Tiger
- Texas Southern University – Tex the Tiger
- Idaho State University – Benny the Bengal
- Rochester Tech (RIT) – Ritchie the Tiger
- Colorado College – Prowler the Tiger
- DePauw University – Tyler the Tiger
- Trinity University (TX) – LeeRoy the Tiger
- Occidental College – Oswald the Tiger
- Fort Hays State University – Victor E. Tiger
BEADS OF COURAGE MEMBERS:
I know how ROARSOME you are each and every day! Beads of Courage wants the world to know how many fierce fighters are proudly wearing their beads!
Upload a photo to show us how fierce you are wearing your Beads of Courage!
I will send you a Show YOUR Fierce gift from me, Courage Tiger, featuring our Tiger DREAM activity and bead!
Hello, my brave and courageous friends!
ROAR! It’s me, Courage Tiger — and July 29th is a very special day: International Tiger Day!
Did you know tigers are famous for being strong, brave, and determined? But here’s a little secret… being brave doesn’t mean you aren’t scared.
- Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is hold someone’s hand.
- Sometimes it’s taking a deep breath before a procedure.
- Sometimes it’s saying, “I can do this!” even when something feels hard.
And do you know who reminds me of that every single day? YOU!
Every time you come to the hospital… every medicine you take… every poke, scan, treatment, clinic visit, or surgery you face… every smile you share and every tear you cry — you are showing COURAGE.
Your Beads of Courage tell the story of your journey — one bead, one brave moment, one amazing step at a time. When I look at your bead strands, I don’t just see colorful beads. I see HOPE. STRENGTH. LOVE. DETERMINATION. I see a HERO.
To the People Walking Beside You
To all the parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, caregivers, doctors, nurses, specialists, and therapists walking beside these incredible children: thank you from the bottom of my Tiger-ific heart. Every encouraging word, comforting hug, gentle smile, and helping hand gives these children even more courage to keep going. You are part of every story told on every Beads of Courage strand.
A Tiger-tastic Challenge
Today, on International Tiger Day, I have a special challenge for you: Take one slow, deep tiger-tastic breath. Breathe in courage… and breathe out your worries.
And remember — you don’t have to roar the loudest to be the bravest.
- Sometimes courage is quiet.
- Sometimes courage looks like showing up.
- Sometimes courage is simply taking the very next step.
Every single one of those brave moments deserves to be celebrated! Whenever you see me, remember this:
- You are stronger than you know.
- You are braver than you feel.
- You are never walking this journey alone.
Thank you for letting us be part of your story. Keep showing off your beads. Keep believing in yourself. Keep showing the world what COURAGE looks like.
OUR REAL LIFE COURAGE TIGER, MADDIE
Maddie is a beautiful, playful Bengal tiger who was one of the 69 big cats from Tiger King Park in Thackerville, OK that were seized and rehomed by the US Department of Justice last May. Maddie shares a spacious habitat with her sister, Chuffers, where the two enjoy romping around together. Maddie is one of seven big cats Keepers of the Wild took in from Tiger King Park.
As part of our 20th anniversary celebration, we are proud to announce our new partnership with Keepers of the Wild Nature Park. This accredited, top-rated, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Arizona is dedicated to protecting abused, neglected, abandoned, and retired captive wildlife, providing the best standard of care, and helping enforce humane treatment of all animals through education and public awareness.
Many plans are in the works with this partnership, including an opportunity for Beads of Courage families to visit the animal sanctuary (more on this to come). But first, we are proud to announce that we have adopted a beautiful tiger named Maddie to serve as our real-life Courage Tiger!
Our friends at Keepers of the Wild say, “We told Maddie she is the new Courage Tiger and she wants you to know that she is honored and will put her best paw forward in her new ambassador role with Bead of Courage.”
Stay tuned for regular updates about Maddie/Courage Tiger and our partnership with Keepers of the Wild as the year unfolds!