Donate a Teddy Bear to Comfort Children in Crisis This Holiday Season

The Feel Better Bears campaign is making its return for the 2024 holiday season, organized by New Jersey 101.5. This initiative aims to provide comfort to children in crisis by distributing teddy bears during emergencies. Local police officers and community supporters are instrumental in ensuring that these bears reach children when they need affection and support the most.

How to Contribute to the Cause

Participating in the Feel Better Bears campaign is straightforward. There are several ways for individuals and community members to contribute:

1. Buy a Bear Online: You can select and purchase a teddy bear through the online store. The bears are sold at cost, meaning that all proceeds go directly to the program, ensuring that New Jersey 101.5 does not profit from these sales.

2. Mail a Bear: If you prefer to send a gift directly, you can mail a new, unwrapped bear to the following address: NJSPBA, 158 Main Street, Woodbridge, NJ 07095-2108, ATTN: Feel Better Bears.

3. Drop Off a Bear: You can also bring a new, unwrapped bear to any designated collection location until December 20, 2024. Participating collection sites include various locations of All American Auto and Trinity Rehab Centers throughout New Jersey.

Collection Locations

Collection points for the initiative are spread across New Jersey. Key locations include:

All American Auto Locations:

• All American Ford of Paramus, 375 NJ-17, Paramus, NJ
• All American Ford of Hackensack, 520 River Street, Hackensack, NJ
• All American Auto of Old Bridge, 3698 US-9, Old Bridge, NJ
• All American Ford of Point Pleasant, 3306 Bridge Ave, Point Pleasant, NJ
• All American Certified Used Vehicles, 781 NJ-70, Brick, NJ

Trinity Rehab Locations:

• The Promenade Shoppes at Clifton, 852 Route 3, Suite 246, Clifton, NJ
• 801 Haddonfield Road, Cherry Hill, NJ
• 465 Cranbury Road, Suite 103, East Brunswick, NJ
• University Office Plaza, 3635 Quakerbridge Road, Suite 38, Hamilton, NJ
• Pine Crest Plaza, 1016 Highway 34, Matawan, NJ
• Trinity Rehab Woodbridge, 33 Woodbridge Center Dr, Woodbridge, NJ
• Trinity Rehab Clark, 301 Central Ave, Suite 1, Clark, NJ

Understanding the Impact

The bears collected through this initiative will be distributed by the New Jersey State PBA, which will then pass them on to local municipalities. These municipalities keep the bears in their squad cars, ready to provide comfort to children in distress during emergencies.

“All donations are given directly to the New Jersey State PBA,” said Robert DeKanski of REMAX First Advantage. “It’s a great way for the community to come together and support children in need.”

For those wondering about the specifics of donations, here are answers to common questions:

Who receives the donations? All contributions are sent to the New Jersey State PBA, which then distributes them to local municipalities.

Do the bears need to be new? Yes, all stuffed animals must be brand new, with tags, and unwrapped.

Can I donate other types of stuffed animals? Yes, any new stuffed animal that meets the criteria is acceptable, not just bears.

Is there a size limit? There is no strict size limit, but donations less than 18 inches tall are preferred.

By participating in the Feel Better Bears campaign, individuals can play a vital role in comforting children facing challenging situations. The collective effort of the community, alongside local organizations, aims to spread kindness and compassion, one teddy bear at a time.