At Ross College in Sylvania, Ohio, teddy bears weren’t just for Valentine’s Day this year. The school also decided to join together to collect teddy bears for an organization called Good Bears of the World. This organization began in Hawaii in 1969 where it then relocated to Toledo, Ohio in 1991. Operating both locally and across the globe, Good Bears of the World donates hundreds of thousands of teddy bears to children who are in traumatic events.
The events that cause Good Bears of the World to reach out to affected families can range from a house fire to larger, widespread disasters. In both cases, oftentimes the bears are given to impacted children by members of the local police force or fire department. Some worldwide disasters this organization has donated to in the past include, but are not limited to, the Oklahoma City bombing, the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks, Hurricane Katrina, and many others. Each of these incidents had one common purpose for their donations: to assist in comforting children who were unfortunate victims of events such as these.
Ross College in Sylvania was able to collect over 100 new and gently loved bears and stuffed animals. While these donated items will not go to local children, they will be given to the elderly for the same cause, comfort. Good Bears of the World will also auction off the donated items to raise funds to purchase and donate more Good Bears. It was great to join forces and come together to donate to a very important cause, comforting those who need it. “As insignificant as a teddy bear may be to us, in our everyday lives, it could mean the world to someone who just needs a hug,” said Stephanie Versellie, Assistant Campus Director of Education. “Thanks to Ross in Sylvania, even more hugs will be able to be sent out to those who need them, all over the world!”
For more information about this non-profit organization, visit the Good Bears of the World website at www.goodbearsoftheworld.org.