Teddy Bear Drive
Being hospitalized can be a very scary and uncomfortable experience, especially when you aren’t quite sure what’s going on. For a child, these feelings are tenfold. To help provide comfort to our younger patients and alleviate the stress and anxiety caused by being in a hospital, MVHS Children’s Miracle Network to holds a month-long teddy bear drive.
How does a Teddy Bear Drive work?
Throughout the month of November, we collected new teddy bears which are given to our young patients when they need them most. Patients offered teddy bears during their visit may be in a variety of areas which include Pediatrics, Operating Rooms, Emergency Department, Ambulatory Surgery, Urgent Care and the MVHS Medical Group Offices.
Who can participate?
Every year we have both outside organizations and MVHS employees who are happy to support this awesome cause. Sometimes the feeling of being able to put a smile on a child’s face when they’re feeling the most vulnerable is one of the greatest gifts. After all, one of the best parts of the holidays is giving, not receiving, right?
Because members of our staff are able to hand off the bears to their patients your “pay it forward” teddy bear gifts put smiles on not only the faces of our younger patients, but also on the faces of our employees who are able to pass them along.
How do I participate?
Participating in the teddy bear drive is easy. Just purchase a new (with tags) teddy bear and bring it to any of our drop off locations. You might also consider making it a one-stop shop and purchasing your teddy bear at one of our gift shops. If you purchase a teddy bear for this cause and place it in one of our donation boxes you will be given a 30 percent discount!
If you would like to donate, boxes are located in the following places:
- Faxton Campus – Foundation Office, Fourth Floor
- Elizabeth Campus – Cafeteria
- Elizabeth Campus – Gift Shop*
- Luke’s Campus – Gift Shop*
- Luke’s Campus – Pediatric Unit, Second Floor
- Luke’s Campus – Volunteer Office, Basement-Level, Allen-Calder Wing
Our friends at Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) Utica Campus are also helping with our drive and have donation boxes in the following locations:
- Learning Commons in Wilcox Hall
- Academic Building Lobby
- Wilcox Hall Lobby
- Payne Hall Lobby
- Library in Payne Hall
Community site offices can contact Andrea MacDiarmid at amacdiar@mvhealthsystem.org to arrange for pickup of the donated items.
Related Blogs:
https://mvhealthsystem.org/downtown-blog/emergency-department-or-urgent-care-where-should-you-go
https://mvhealthsystem.org/downtown-blog/six-things-to-consider-when-choosing-a-primary-care-doctor