2023 “Teddy Bears with Love” 25th Anniversary Drive

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Celebrating 25 years of "Bear Hugs" in 2023!
Celebrating 25 Years of “Bear Hugs!”

In December of 1999, the Office of Alumni Relations at Fairfield University kicked-off what would come to be known as the annual “Teddy Bears with Love” Drive. Today, our Student Alumni Association continues to proudly spearhead this effort!

Thanks to the generosity of thousands of alumni, families, students, employees, and friends of Fairfield University, have been donated over 25,000 teddy bears (and stuffed animals) to dozens of children’s hospitals and charities not only in Connecticut, but across the country. This year, we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of this award-winning program. And, as with every year, we need your help to continue this great tradition and make this our biggest collection yet!

Regional collection events will take place in the coming weeks in our alumni chapters across the country. For more information on times, dates and locations check back here on our official website and/or keep your eyes open for emails to events in your area.

Donations may also be dropped off (M-F, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) or mailed directly to the Office of Alumni Relations at the address below.

Fairfield University
Alumni House
ATTN: Teddy Bears with Love Drive
1073 North Benson Road
Fairfield, CT 06824

We ask that all bears being mailed to or dropped off on campus be received by Monday, December 11.

As many of our donation points are hospitals/emergency rooms where donations go directly to children with compromised health, it is imperative that donations be new/with tags, and if possible, in their original packaging. We regrettably cannot accept any gently-used donations even with tags. We ask that you please use your discretion and donate accordingly. If you wish to donate gently/prior-used stuffed animals, we recommend contacting your local Goodwill, Salvation Army, and/or animal shelters. Please do not send/deliver to Fairfield University at the risk of being mixed up with new donations. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

If you have any questions regarding Teddy Bears with Love, please contact:

Student Alumni Association
[e-mail]

Teddy Bears with Love
Colleen McGinn
Student Alumni Association Advisor and Director of Alumni Engagement
[e-mail]
[phone]

www.fairfield.edu/alumni-and-friends/get-involved/teddy-bears-with-love/?utm_source=emma&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ff-ar-tbwl&utm_content=cta&utm_term=email-1+20231101

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Teddy Bears with Love 2023
Thank you for a record-setting 25th Anniversary!

Since Teddy Bears with Love began in December of 1999, and thanks to the generosity of thousands of alumni, parents and families, students, employees, and friends of Fairfield University, nearly 27,000 teddy bears (and stuffed animals) have been donated to dozens of children’s hospitals and charities not only in Connecticut, but across the country.

This year, we celebrated the 25th Anniversary of this award-winning program. And, we are thrilled to announce that we commemorated the milestone with our most successful collection to date. A whopping 1,912 teddy bears and stuffed animals were donated to charities in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Ohio, California, and Washington, D.C.

The Student Alumni Association and the Office of Alumni Relations extend a huge thank you to everyone who continues to make our tradition of sharing "bear hugs" with children at the holidays possible.

The 2024 collection will kick off in November. Until then, to learn more about this year’s charities and our 2023 partners — or how to get involved with or host a collection event in your area — please visit fairfield.edu/teddybears.
www.fairfield.edu/alumni-and-friends/get-involved/teddy-bears-with-love/?utm_source=emma&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ff-ar-teddy-bears-with-love&utm_content=text&utm_term=thank-you+20240117