Teddy Bear Drive

The Regional Law Enforcement Teddy Bear Committee hosts a year of collecting new teddy bears for sick and injured children who visit San Diego’s Children’s Hospital.  Each year the drive collects over 65,000 bears to brighten the day of sick and injured children visiting San Diego’s Children’s Hospital.  All Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies in San Diego County participate in the drive, which culminates in December when a large caravan of police vehicles will leave the San Diego Sheriffs Department rolling Code 3 sirens and lights wailing before arriving at Children’s Hospital.

The Teddy Bear Drive began in 1991 when Coronado Officer Brian Hardy delivered a single carload of teddy bears to the hospital. Now, the drive collects new teddy bears and money donations throughout the year from the public at special events. Over 75 law enforcement vehicles from across the Southern California area, lead by the Chargers “Bolt Patrol” van, filled with teddy bears will arrive at Children’s to the cheers of children, staff, and families. The players and officers will then personally deliver these magical gifts to the young patients, during the Annual Teddy Bear Drive.

The public can donate new teddy bears at the front counter of any Police Department in San Diego County or contact the Coronado Police Department’s Teddy Bear Hotline at 619-522-7349. The Regional Law Enforcement Teddy Bear Committee is also looking for businesses or groups who would be interested in assisting them in the collection of new teddy bears throughout the year as well as business sponsors that could help defray promotional costs for the ongoing events of the drive.  Please contact Commander Mike Lawton at the Coronado Police Department at 619 522-7349 to discuss how you or your business can support this cause.

This year the law enforcement caravan will be held on Tuesday, December 12th. All of the sheriff’s storefront offices and stations are collecting bears. Feel free to drop a new stuffed animal off anytime before the caravan.