Corporate charitable programs often stay at the level of the donation check. The approach taken by Judd Zebersky and Jazwares went considerably further into board leadership, product development for sick children, and wish funding that reached more than 100 individual families.
Laura Zebersky’s Role at Make-A-Wish
Laura Zebersky joined the Make-A-Wish Southern Florida board in 2019 and assumed the chair position in 2022. Her years of service gave the Judd Zebersky family a direct operational role in the organization rather than simply a donor relationship. Together, she and Judd Zebersky funded more than 100 individual wishes for children with serious illnesses. The couple also served as benefactors at the InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball, which raised over $5 million. Jazwares added a product-level component to that relationship by developing Star, a Squishmallows toy created specifically for children in Make-A-Wish programs. More than 10,000 Star units were donated to chapters across the United States and Canada.
The Joe DiMaggio Hospital Connection
The Zebersky family’s work at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital followed a similar pattern. Their $2 million donation contributed to a capital campaign projected at $170 million, expanding the hospital from four floors to eight. The hospital named both the Pediatric Emergency Department Registration Area and the Outpatient Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Unit after the family. Beyond the donation, Judd Zebersky worked with the hospital to produce a Lotsy Dotsy doll a custom toy modeled after the hospital’s clown character, designed to bring comfort to young patients. “Not only are they a top-notch pediatric facility, but they also provide quality medical care regardless of a family’s ability to pay,” he said. Zebersky left the CEO role at Jazwares in March 2026, but the giving programs he put in place continue operating. Visit this page for related information.
Find more information about Judd Zebersky on https://news.miami.edu/law/stories/2024/10/judd-and-laura-zebersky-toymakers-extraordinaire.html