Thank you to the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services!

It was raining Teddy Bears on December 15, 2011! The wonderful staff (and friends and family of staff) of the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services building worked throughout the year and were able to donate 165 Teddy Bears to our Teddy Bear Program. This year, over 200 teddy bears were requested by long term care homes and we were able to and happy to oblige!!! We could not have done this without their help!

Another huge thank you goes out to the wonderful volunteers of the North Bay Quilters Guild who donate approximately 75 teddy bears each and every year to our Teddy Bear program. All of their teddy bears are made from scrap pieces of fabric. Each teddy bear has its own unique personality!

The Teddy Bear Club is a group of individuals who knit, crochet, or sew teddy bears for persons in the community with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia.

Teddy bears benefit an individual with dementia by relieving lonlieness, fear and anxiety. The bears also help the caregiver by providing comfort to the Alzheimer's sufferer during times where the caregiver must be busy.

Every year, we collect and donate teddy bears to residents in our local Long Term Care Facilities and hospitals. As the number of afflicted people in our community rises, so does the need for teddy bears. Last year over 200 teddy bears were donated!

If you are interested in receiving a pattern, please contact Andrea Parolin