'It's amazing I didn't think we were going to get here': Teddy Bears Anonymous celebrates 15 year anniversary
It’s a milestone Luke Lawrence didn’t imagine when he started the charitable organization that brings joy to children in difficult situations.
“We started one, then we hit five then we hit 10 ... never say never in life it’s a really big deal for us,” Lawrence said.
Teddy Bears Anonymous was founded after his daughter, Erin, passed away in 2007. It offers a rare comfort to children in Saskatchewan hospitals, in police or paramedic situations, allowing frontline workers to provide a teddy or stuffed animal to children.
"I have one at my home...but it’s at my grandmas though,” Lilly, a recipient of Teddy Bears told CTV.
When asked how it made her feel when she got it, she squeezed the bear in her hands and said “it makes me happier."
“You know they're so scared when they go into the hospital they don't know what's going on so any sort of comfort is amazing for them,” Ashely, Lilly’s mom, said.
Saturday, a barbecue was held, hoping to sell 1,500 hotdogs for 15 years. People lined up at the Co-op on Rochdale, and by 2 p.m. they had sold just over 750.
“I had one person say I said ‘I'm sorry for the line up', he says ‘we're not here for the hotdogs and I thought well that says it all,” Lawrence explained.
There was a magic show, princesses, puppies and a giant cake, along with a handout of new stuffed animals provided by the Salvation Army to kids who showed up.
Police Chief Evan Bray cut the cake and explained how important the cause is, not only to the children, but to first responders as well.
“A police officer being able to give them a brand new teddy bear that ultimately is going to give them a lot of comfort it is good for the police officer, or the paramedics or the firefighters that are handing them out and its obviously good for the children.”
Lawrence said it was an emotional day and that Erin is watching the good work they do.
He will continue to keep up with the demand as long as he can, having already provided over 190 thousand children with teddies.
For him, it’s a testament to the community that this charity is still going strong.
“I can feel it ... our volunteers ... that’s why they do what they do back here, the businesses that support us and the public that come out, they are out here for a reason.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
B.C. theatre to pay $55K to neurodivergent actor in discrimination case
British Columbia's human rights tribunal has awarded a neurodigergent actor, who was diagnosed with sensory and learning disorders, more than $55,000 after finding that a Kelowna theatre company discriminated against him because of his disabilities.