New Bears Wanted

At Head O’ Meadow

New stuffed teddy bears will be collected at Head O’ Meadow elementary school every Friday through November 7 to be donated to chronically ill children at Danbury Hospital by the Parent Teacher Association at the school.

PTA member Amy Schmidt, who is in charge of the drive, said she is hoping to receive more than 300 bears. Ms Schmidt said the drive is a big hit at the hospital, and the bears are always appreciated by the children. 

The Bears That Care drive started Friday, October 10, and is stationed near the entrance of the school. Students at the school have been asked, according to Ms Schmidt, to bring in new teddy bears. Used bears cannot be accepted, because chronically ill children are highly susceptible to contagions, according to Ms Schmidt.

“It’s part of our outreach campaign,” Ms Schmidt said. “So we can reach the needs of others.”

The school’s community team, which is comprised of students in the fourth grade, will be helping every Friday.

A bear collection basket with a Bear O’ Meter has been set up to collect the donations, and for each bear donated a heart is placed inside a bear drawn on the box.

“Our goal is to fill the bear bin,” said Ms Schmidt, “and to fill his heart with love.”