CARLSBAD–The Carlsbad Police Department with 20 other countywide law enforcement agencies are collecting new, with the tags on, stuffed teddy bears for the 24nd annual San Diego Regional Law Enforcement Teddy Bear Drive.
“Officers hope to collect 50,000 bears to cheer up some very sick children,” reported Police Communications Operator and event coordinator Kari Pavlenko. “The stuffed toys will be delivered to the kids at Rady Children’s Hospital on December 9.”
The teddy bear drive began in December of 1990, when Coronado Police Officer Brian Hardy noticed the toy donation bins at Children’s hospital were nearly empty. Officer Hardy purchased a dozen bears, asked for approval to use a police car and delivered the bears to the hospital’s sick children.
The program grew each year as fellow officers where inspired by Hardy and wanted to participate. The generosity of Hardy’s 12 teddy bears has grown to 100 officers representing 21 agencies collecting upwards of 40,000 bears each year.
In 2013, the Carlsbad Police Department collected 350 teddy bears from generous community members and city employees. If you would like to donate, the stuffed bears must be new, with the tags still attached. Deliver the bears to the Carlsbad Police Department located at 2560 Orion Way during regular business hours or to any participating agency before December 8.
