The Need

For a young child who is hurt or afraid, there’s often nothing so comforting as hugging a soft teddy bear.

That’s why for Bears & More, a collectible bear and toy shop in Glendale, Ariz., a drive to provide teddy bears to first responders is such an important project every year.

Bears & More co-owner Valerie Burner says her business became aware of the City of Glendale’s “Trauma Teddy” program about 20 years ago and started doing the annual Teddy Bear Drive to benefit the Glendale Fire Department. Since then, the bears have become an important tool for first responders and hospitals as well.

“They use the bears to communicate and comfort kids,” explains Valerie. “‘Does your tummy hurt? Does your leg hurt? Point to the bear.’ And so, they use it as a tool, and it’s a very important part of their job.”

Taylor Iverson, branch manager at Bell Bank in Glendale, felt a special connection to the Teddy Bear Drive in part because her husband is a former firefighter.

“It’s near and dear to my heart,” she says. “I’ve heard a lot of terrible stories about what they deal with on a daily basis. So, if we can help them out and make their job just a little bit easier, I think that’s pretty important.”

The Impact

For Bears & More, the Teddy Bear Drive is always held on the Saturday closest to National Teddy Bear Day (September 9).

“In Glendale, we do it up big,” Valerie says. “The goal is to get as many teddy bears donated to the first responders … so what we do is encourage the public to come and buy a teddy bear for $15, and they can donate it on the spot.”

Donated bears are handed out by local fire stations, police officers, first responders and hospitals to children who have been in traumatic accidents. Each soft, comforting teddy bear is used to communicate and console. Better still, a bear goes home with each child.

“Bears & More does not profit from the sale of these bears,” Valerie points out. “The child gets the teddy bear to keep. It goes with them, so they have something to comfort them.”

Taylor and her banking team came to participate in this year’s Teddy Bear Drive – and had the fun of presenting Valerie with a Pay It Forward check for “pooled” funds totaling $3,200.

Amazed and grateful, Valerie was honored that her cause would be chosen to receive the gift, which helps the Teddy Bear Drive continue to grow.

“A lot of good work has come out of this,” she says. “We’ve reached so many different communities and a lot of different people. It’s always a great feeling to know that these are going to help the kids.”

Valerie has also been touched by the many stories shared by people who have given the bears to children, delivering to each child a comforting friend.

“That keeps us wanting to do this over and over, and make it bigger and bigger, and reach further and further,” she says. “The stories are incredible.”

Through the Pay It Forward program, Bell gives employees money each year to donate to people in need and causes they care about.