National Day

Care Bears™ Share Your Care Day

Celebrated on 09/09/2026

Quick Fact

Care Bears™ Share Your Care Day is celebrated annually on the second Saturday of August, encouraging acts of kindness and sharing. The day was inspired by the beloved Care Bears characters, who first appeared in 1981 on greeting cards and later became a popular animated series. It's a day for people of all ages to spread joy and compassion, just like the colorful bears.

Origins and Establishment of Care Bears™ Share Your Care Day

Care Bears™ Share Your Care Day was established in 2004 by American Greetings, the company behind the original Care Bears franchise. The holiday was created to promote the core values of the Care Bears—caring, sharing, and kindness—by encouraging people to perform acts of kindness for others. The date was chosen to coincide with the back-to-school season, emphasizing the importance of kindness in classrooms and communities.

The first official celebration involved events at schools and community centers, where children and adults participated in activities like donating toys, writing letters to seniors, and volunteering. The day was designed to be a simple yet powerful reminder of the impact of sharing and caring.

Evolution and Modern Commemoration

Over the years, Care Bears™ Share Your Care Day has grown from a small promotional event into a globally recognized day of kindness. Social media has played a significant role in its expansion, with hashtags like #ShareYourCare and #CareBearsDay trending annually. In 2015, American Greetings partnered with the nonprofit organization GenerationOn to create a toolkit for schools and groups, providing resources for organizing service projects.

Today, the day is celebrated in various ways, including community clean-ups, food drives, and random acts of kindness. Many schools incorporate lessons about empathy and sharing into their curriculum. The Care Bears themselves often appear in parades and special events, and limited-edition merchandise is released to mark the occasion. The holiday continues to evolve, embracing digital platforms to inspire kindness worldwide.

Facts & General Observations

  • Over 10,000 acts of kindness are reported on social media each Care Bears™ Share Your Care Day, ranging from buying coffee for a stranger to organizing neighborhood clean-ups.
  • The day has been celebrated in more than 20 countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
  • American Greetings estimates that participation has grown by 40% since 2010, with millions of people taking part annually.

Explore more celebrations, trivia, and quests on National Day Quest.