When Judd Zebersky left his law practice in 1997 and flew to China to learn toy manufacturing from the factory floor, he was not just building a product company. He was building toward a larger vision one in which commercial success and community investment operated in tandem.
The company Zebersky founded, Jazwares, grew from a startup into a global enterprise best known for Squishmallows, one of the top-selling toy brands worldwide. Alongside that commercial growth, Zebersky developed Jazwares Cares, the company’s philanthropic arm, which expanded its reach as the business scaled.
Connecting Play to Purpose
Today, Jazwares Cares encompasses donation programs, school partnerships, and employee-led volunteer efforts spanning multiple countries. For Jude Zebersky, the connection between play and community support was not incidental. “Putting a smile on children’s faces is at the heart of everything we do,” he said when announcing major donation initiatives in 2025.
That commitment translated into substantial personal giving as well. Judd Zebersky and Laura Zebersky donated $2 million to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in support of a facility expansion that doubled available patient floors from four to eight. The hospital acknowledged the gift by naming two areas in their honor: the Pediatric Emergency Department Registration Area and the Outpatient Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Unit.
Make-A-Wish Foundation Involvement
The Zebersky family also maintained a deep relationship with Make-A-Wish Southern Florida. Laura Zebersky chaired the organization’s board starting in 2022, and the couple funded more than 100 individual wishes. Jazwares developed Star, a Squishmallow created specifically for children with serious illnesses, donating more than 10,000 units to Make-A-Wish chapters across the United States and Canada. The product collaboration reflected Judd Zebersky’s ability to turn corporate resources into meaningful charitable outcomes. Read this article for additional information.
Learn more about Judd Zebersky on https://www.allamericanspeakers.com/celebritytalentbios/Judd+Zebersky/462554