For Judd Zebersky, corporate philanthropy was never just a line item. The Jazwares founder who left a South Florida law career in 1997 to build a toy company from scratch structured giving into Jazwares from the start, then added substantial personal contributions that went beyond anything a typical corporate program would require. His approach treated hospitals and community organizations not as charity recipients but as long-term partners.

Joe DiMaggio Hospital: A $2 Million Partnership

The most visible example of Judd Zebersky‘s personal commitment came through Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in South Florida. He and wife Laura Zebersky contributed $2 million to the hospital’s capital campaign, a gift that supported a facility expansion project estimated at $170 million and stretching the hospital from four floors to eight. “Not only are they a top-notch pediatric facility, but they also provide quality medical care regardless of a family’s ability to pay,” Zebersky said of the institution.

The hospital recognized the Zeberskys by naming the Pediatric Emergency Department Registration Area and the Outpatient Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Unit in their honor. The couple also developed a custom version of the Lotsy Dotsy doll designed after the hospital’s resident clown to offer comfort to pediatric patients during their stays. It was a gesture that combined the couple’s professional world with genuine care for children in vulnerable circumstances.

Squishmallows for Make-A-Wish

Judd Zebersky’s connection to Make-A-Wish Southern Florida was equally personal. Laura Zebersky chaired the organization’s board after serving three years as a member, and together the couple funded more than 100 individual wishes. They were lead benefactors at the InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball, which raised more than $5 million. Jazwares donated over 10,000 Squishmallows to Make-A-Wish chapters across the United States and Canada a plush character called Star created specifically for children with serious illnesses. Jazwares Cares, the company’s philanthropic arm, continues to operate school partnerships, hospital donation programs, and employee volunteer initiatives in multiple countries following Zebersky’s departure as CEO in March 2026. Check out this page for more information.

Find more information about Judd Zebersky on https://jazwares.uk/about-us/leadership