Teddy Bear Love

We All Scream For Teddy Bears

If you know anything about us as a nonprofit you know that we love our teddy bears and the joy they bring to the faces of people of all ages! Although teddy bears are commonly associated with children because of their affinity to being transitional objects, it doesn’t mean they aren’t helpful to adults! Transitional objects become important in our lives because of the lasting effects they have on us including: empathy, generosity and even in helping us express our own emotions! Didn’t think teddy bears could do that much for us? Keep reading to see how!

We recognize that teddy bears offer more than just being a cute friend - they offer comfort and more importantly, in times of social distancing, a warm hug! Physical touch is an important part of development for children and missing out on that can result in greater feelings of loneliness, as well as social difficulties. We’re not the only ones who recognize this, as various hospitals and schools have taken what we like to call ‘ the teddy bear initiative’. One such, Beacon Health Systems hands out teddy bears to patients to help comfort them but when the supply ran low, the Blue Knights motorcycle club took it upon themselves to step in and help raise money as well as collect teddy bears! Beacon Health isn’t alone - the Indio Sunrise Rotary Club kicked off its own teddy bear initiative by raising funds to purchase teddy bears for their high risk students. They’ve noticed in their schools that teddy bears offer hugs in times of social distancing and act as an important learning tool! By reading aloud to their teddy bears children are not only practicing their own reading skills, but getting comfortable reading aloud and hopefully making them feel like they’re not just reading aloud to themselves. As we stated at the beginning, children are not the only ones that benefit from the presence of teddy bears - adults can get in on the fun too.

For example, this family has acknowledged the importance their son’s teddy bear has played in his life and therefore in theirs as well. Their son's teddy bear “Bay” quickly became an important member of the family and that meant protecting him to ensure he would be there for as long as possible. This meant no more taking him out on adventures’ and no more swimming for Bay. Why would they go through all this trouble? Because they saw how Bay had taught their son empathy and generosity and had become a true friend for him. They’re not the only ones who want to be involved in continuing the tradition of teddy bears, Miss Trudie plays a special role in Spring Arbor’s Operation Blue Christmas, an annual event that provides presents for children in need. She handmakes clothes for the teddy bears donated to Operation Blue Christmas. When the pandemic hit, assisted living facilities such as hers strongly encouraged residents to stay in their apartments and avoid contact with others. She filled her time by prepping up to 53 teddy bears with clothes for children in need!

Now if you want to talk about science you can read more about the psychology behind teddy bears check out some of our past blogs here. Research even suggests that “child related cues” unconsciously activate goodness within adults. The way this study phrases it, “it’s not only the presence of a child that makes us feel this way; it’s the idea of a child.” Think about how you act when you’re around kids; you naturally check yourself by swearing less and subconsciously trying to encourage morally good behaviors. So is it possible that teddy bears make us better adults? It’s possible.

Our mission is to spread joy through giving and receiving, if you know anyone or any organization that needs some teddy bears, don't hesitate to reach out to us. And please share your teddy bears with us on Instagram! #beargivers, @beargivers.