Everyone should have a teddy

By Good Bears of the World; photos by Terrie Stong

Teddy bears - we all love them. They make us smile. We hug them. We collect them. They make us happy and sometimes, soak up our tears. 

Everyone should have at least one!

Good Bears of the World (GBW), an international charity that has flourished for over half a century, strives to share the love of teddies with those less fortunate. Each year, GBW members work tirelessly to raise funds to buy special bears to donate to their local police, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) workers and many other agencies that deal with children. 

Members also donate teddy bears to the elderly, who are often lonely and forgotten. There are countless other opportunities to share Good Bears where the bears become faithful companions. For those from age one to one hundred and one, the GBW teddy bears are a gift of love!

Finding new members is a big challenge for this teddy bear sharing charity. There are five GBW membership categories: Annual Memberships, Den Memberships, Bearos (who are lifetime members), Sponsors, and Boosters. Boosters include teddy bears and pets. With the help of their humans, they do special fundraising projects and help raise awareness of GBW.

Bailey heads up the Booster members and stays in touch with them throughout the year. He also comes up with a caring annual Booster project, and sends each Booster a Christmas card and a note. The exact number of Boosters is unknown but some members have several.

Aloha Den is the oldest Den, and still active (since 1969 - a long time to keep people motivated!).

A frequently asked question is “Where does GBW get the funds to donate their cuddly bears?” The organization is funded by memberships, donations and the sale of donated teddies at doll and bear shows, and during six annual online sales.

Over the past few years, GBW Online Charity Sales have allowed everyone the opportunity to adopt a special teddy for their hug, and also to know they are supporting future GBW teddy bear giftings. If you are interested in receiving email notifications about the GBW Online Sales, visit their website and join their mailing list.

Den members find many ways to raise money. From raffles to cookie sales, the members are always finding new and innovative opportunities for fund raising. The purpose of their fundraising efforts: to give more GBW bears where they are needed.

GBW uses an official soft plush brown bear that is imported and shipped for them by Muffin Enterprises. A special feature of these teddies lies in their poly-bagging, to insure they remain clean until they are needed in various situations. Hundreds of these bears are used each year by those who want to offer reassuring hugs from a comforting teddy bear. 

In response to inquiries about notable bear donations, Terrie Stong, who has chaired GBW for over 40 years, expressed, “Every bear gifting holds significance. Whether it’s a single bear, a case containing 24 bears, or even a generous donation of 500 bears, each bear contributes to making a difference!”

Terrie affectionately refers to GBW with the unofficial motto: “Homes for bears and bears for kids.” It encapsulates a beautiful circle of love!

Please consider joining GBW today or purchasing a bear from a teddy bear show or online sale. Be sure to tell your bear loving friends about GBW and their mission of love. You can help give this teddy bear charity the opportunity to grow for another 50 years. Every new membership is cause for celebration!

For more information on joining and supporting Good Bears of the World please visit: www.goodbearsoftheworld.org or send a note to 

Good Bears of the World, PO Box 13097, Toledo Ohio 43613. 

Captions:

Top right:

Above left: Alice Vanderbears decked out in red white and blue for vet.

Above right: Shows are a great way to rehome bears.

Right: This huge bear was very popular waiting in the hotel reception!