Deb Hoffmann facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Deb Hoffmann
Deb Hoffmann, February 2014
Born	(1965-03-27) March 27, 1965 (age 60) Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Occupation	Website Designer Collector Winnie-the-Pooh "ambassador" Auction Website Owner

Deb Hoffmann was born on March 27, 1965. She lives in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Deb is famous for having the world's largest collection of Winnie-the-Pooh and Friends items. Guinness World Records officially recognizes her amazing collection.

In 2008, Deb showed her collection to Guinness World Records. On January 17, she received her first certificate. Her collection had 3,891 unique items! It includes many different things like clothes, jackets, watches, clocks, figurines, dishes, mugs, and stuffed toys. One special stuffed toy is a Piglet from before Disney owned the character. Deb bought it from Victoria Price, who is the daughter of actor Vincent Price.

To keep her record up-to-date, Deb needs to show that her collection keeps growing with new, unique items. Her husband, Gary, helped her by creating a special computer program. Deb uses this program to keep track of every single item in her huge collection.

About Deb Hoffmann

Early Life and Pooh Love

Deb Hoffmann grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She has always loved Winnie the Pooh. She received her very first stuffed Pooh bear when she was just two years old. Her collection really started to grow when she was in her twenties.

In 1987, Deb married her college sweetheart, Gary. She often says that Gary is "the best part of her collecting." Gary has always supported Deb's hobby. He even helps her find new and unique items for her collection.

Bringing People Together

Besides her passion for Winnie the Pooh, Deb enjoys bringing people together. After graduating from Carroll University in 1987, she worked in marketing. She helped businesses connect with new customers. Later, she used her skills at an advertising agency.

As computers became more important, Deb learned about software. In 2000, Deb and Gary started their own company called TechAnalysts, Inc.. They combined Deb's marketing skills with Gary's software knowledge. They also started a mobile DJ company called A Special Request.

Deb even volunteered to dress up as Winnie the Pooh for Sears and Roebuck. At that time, Sears had a special agreement with Disney to sell Winnie the Pooh products. In 2009, Deb started a business group called BIG Networking. It helps business owners share ideas and get referrals.

Winnie's Hometown Festival

In 1999, Deb traveled to White River, Canada. This town is very special because it's where the real bear who inspired Winnie the Pooh was found. Lt Harry Colebourn bought a black bear cub there. Deb and Gary have gone back to the Winnie's Hometown Festival every year since.

The festival committee learned about Deb's Guinness World Record. They also found out that she and Gary owned A Special Request. So, they asked Deb to be the host of the festival! Deb has also given several Winnie the Pooh items to the White River Heritage Museum. This helps support the town "Where It All Began."

Sharing Her Collection

Over the years, many news groups have contacted Deb. They want to talk about her amazing Guinness World Record collection. She even created her own website, MostPooh.com. This website shows off her collection. It's also a place where other Winnie the Pooh fans can share their own stories.

Deb gets emails every day from people who love Pooh. Some want to sell their Pooh items, and others are looking for specific items to add to their own collections. This led Deb to create cartoonfreakboutique.com. It's an online auction site especially for collectors of Pooh and other cartoon items. Non-profit groups can also use it to raise money.

Pooh Sticks Championships

In 2015, Deb made a dream come true. She took part in the World Pooh Sticks Championships! Pooh Sticks is a game from A.A. Milne's book, The House at Pooh Corner. The event raises money for charity. It moved to a new place at Cogges Manor Farm in Witney to fit more people.

Many news outlets interviewed Deb at the Championships. These included BBC Radio in Oxford and The Independent. They were interested because she traveled almost 4,000 miles to be there!

More Recognition

Deb has also been recognized by RecordSetter. They gave her a record for having the Most "Winnie the Pooh and Friends" Shirts And Jackets In A Backyard. She had 548 unique items!

Because so many Winnie-the-Pooh fans wanted to see her collection, Deb started a YouTube video series. It's called "Never Enough...Pooh." You can watch it on her YouTube Channel: MostPooh5150.

Deb and her Winnie the Pooh collection were also featured on the MeTV show Collector's Call. The show is hosted by Lisa Whelchel, who played Blair on the 80s TV series The Facts of Life (TV series). Deb is now even listed on IMDB!

Guinness World Records by Date