Law enforcement officers will fan out around San Diego County Tuesday but they’ll be rounding up teddy bears instead of criminals.
The 25th annual San Diego Regional Law Enforcement Teddy Bear Drive will get underway today to benefit Rady Children’s Hospital. New stuffed animals will be collected at law enforcement stations, Chick-fil-A restaurants, Escondido Federal Credit Union and SmileCare locations around the county. The donated bears will be delivered Dec. 8.
The teddy bear drive, now an annual tradition, began after Coronado Police Officer Brian Hardy got lost at Rady Children’s Hospital and came upon an empty holiday toy donation bin in the weeks before Christmas 1990. He was inspired to purchase a dozen teddy bears and pass them out to sick and scared patients.
The drive has grown throughout the years, and now more than 60,000 stuffed animals are collected annually along with monetary donations that allow organizers to ensure children admitted to the hospital receive a stuffed animal and parents who have lost a child get a keepsake or comfort bear, according to county officials.
“I’m very excited that the Teddy Bear Drive has taken on a life of its own,” Hardy said. “This is all for the kids.”
This year’s drive is hosted by the San Diego County Probation Department and the Coronado Police Department.
Collection boxes will be up in the Escondido Police Department’s front lobby and at Escondido Federal Credit Union through Dec. 7, according to Escondido police.
Corporate sponsor Chick-fil-A will host a kickoff event at 5 p.m. at the eatery’s location on Sports Arena Boulevard in San Diego. Those donating a stuffed animal at that location or any other Chick-fil-A around the county during the event will receive a free chicken sandwich meal or nuggets kid’s meal.
SmileCare dental offices will also have donation boxes through Dec. 7 at its nine locations in San Diego, Chula Vista, El Cajon and Temecula.
Stuffed animals can also be dropped off at any law enforcement offices or court in the county. Rady Children’s Hospital also accepts toys and monetary donations year-round, county officials said.
—City News Service
