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Ted E. Vegas – Good Bears of the World gives bears to many organizations in the greater Las Vegas community. Our goal: providing comfort to sick, lonely, abused or traumatized children and the frail elderly.
Children’s Advocacy Center – provides medical exams, forensic interviews and therapeutic counseling services for children who have been sexually abused. Ted E. Vegas delivers large bears for these traumatized children. The director writes: “Your donation brings smiles to the faces of children who have gone through traumatic events in their lives.”
Child Haven – provides temporary care and treatment for abused, neglected and abandoned children 3 days-old to 18 years of age. Since teddy bears have a calming, soothing effect on frightened or abused children, when a child is housed at Child Haven a teddy bear awaits them. They wrote, “Your friendship and good will are sincerely appreciated by the kids and staff.”
Child Protective Services – and the Family Courts protects children from abuse and neglect within their families or in foster or institutional care. The manager of CPS wrote, “Your partnership to provide comfort to at-risk children in our community is critical to our work, as we cannot do it alone.”
Emergency Services – Ambulances and Flight for Life receive new teddies for children in route to hospitals. A paramedic said, “When I give a bear to a frightened, traumatized child, the child clings to the bear. Sometimes the scared child is clinging so tightly to the bear we almost have to pry the child’s arm away from the bear in order to administer an IV.”
Fire Departments – Trauma Teddies are delivered to fire departments to be carried on engines and rescue vehicles. They help redirect the child’s thoughts from the trauma to the bear. A firefighter said, “No matter how frightened a child is, the little hand always reaches out to take our bear.”
Help of Southern Nevada – Due to parental incarceration, death, serious physical injury, custody issues, addiction or abandonment, grandparents are unexpectedly placed in a second-time-around situation. Ted E. Vegas provides teddies for their young grandchildren. Alicia says, “I so enjoy telling a young child they can pick out a bear and then watch the child study each bear with bright shining eyes while they make their BIG decision.”
Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation – Teddies are provided to Pediatric Oncologist offices so that each child in treatment receives a bear hug. Teddies are also given to children with life threatening illnesses who attend Camp Cartwheel and the Champions Run for Life, events that recognize and honor these brave children.
Nursing and Convalescent Homes – Teddy bears are provided to comfort lonely, confined and frail elderly. It is heartwarming to see their gentle smiles as they kiss, hug and pet their bear. The Activities Director at TLC said, “The resident’s eyes lit-up when they saw the bears. Giving them out was a warm feeling and put a huge smile on their faces.”
Pediatric Intensive Care Units at Hospitals – New teddies go to hospitalized children. University Medical Center, Saint Rose, and Michael O’Callehan Federal Hospital have all received teddy bears for seriously ill children. After all, a teddy bear is a quiet source of healing in a soft, furry, child-sized parcel.
Police – A policeman says, “When we are called to an accident scene or a home, the children are genuinely frightened. They often think the policeman has come to take away their mommy and daddy. Having a bear to give to a child helps us to become less of a threat.”
Stand Down for the Homeless – This yearly event brings together multiple organizations to provide goods and services for the homeless: food, clothing, blankets, personal items, dental care, hair washing and cuts, legal advice, counseling, job opportunities and much more. Ted E. Vegas provides hundreds of teddy bears for homeless children. Photos of Stand Down Gifting
Trauma Intervention Program – TIP volunteers assist family members following natural or unexpected deaths; victims of crime; disoriented or lonely older persons; victims of vehicle accidents; family members after suicide; and anyone emotionally traumatized by a crisis event. Teddy bears are delivered to TIP to help provide solace and comfort to people of all ages.
Various Community Services Programs – The Community Counseling Center, Reach Out, Wellness Center, Pinnacle Community Mental Health, the Adelson Clinic, WestCare and Safe Nest are among the many services programs who receive teddy bears to comfort children and families in need Yes, love, solace, and comfort can make a difference. Caring and Sharing with Teddy Bears – Comforting Companions |
