Those interested in putting a smile on a child’s face this holiday season can do so by joining the annual Teddy Cares teddy bear drive.
The drive, now in its ninth year, was established by Luling’s Vicki Bergeron and her son Logan, following the passing of Bergeron’s son Kyle, who lost a battle with leukemia in 2006 at the age of 18.
Every year since Kyle’s death, the Bergeron family, along with their friends and community supporters, have come together as “Kyle’s Krew” to raise money and honor the memory of their son and friend. The group was started before Kyle passed away, but his family and friends kept it going even after he lost his battle.
One of the ways the group helps support cancer-fighting efforts is by soliciting sponsors for teddy bears. The bears cost $10 and will be delivered to children battling cancer in local hospitals.
“We thought it was something he’d have appreciated,” Vicki Bergeron said. “We did it for a few years ourselves, but it became so costly. Logan came up with the idea to get people to sponsor them. They can give it a name and it can kind of be theirs.
“It’s just something we do to try and keep Kyle’s legacy alive.”
Dec. 16 is the deadline for donations, extended from the original Dec. 12 deadline. The bears will be delivered the week before Christmas. Those sponsoring bears may include a name for the bear.
Bergeron said many people who have sponsored in the past have named bears after their own lost loved ones.She said brightening the day of these children is something that means much to her, after seeing Kyle battle the disease firsthand.
“These kids don’t get to go home for Christmas,” she said. “There really is no true Christmas for them, because cancer doesn’t stop at Christmas time … it was bad enough for him, but to see the little ones endure that agony is heart wrenching.”
This year, the bears will come wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the “Teddy Cares” logo, which were produced by Magnolia Companies.
“What better way to put a smile on a child’s face than to give them a teddy bear?” Bergeron said.
Those interested in sponsoring a bear can e-mail Vicki Bergeron at sweetserenity1998@yahoo.com. Sponsors may make checks payable to Bergeron and address them to 115 Warren Drive in Luling, LA, 70070.
Be the first to comment