Harbor Police Department Leads Teddy Bear Drive Delivery to Rady Children’s Hospital

Tuesday, 15 December 2009
Contact: Barbara Moreno (619) 686-6216

Teddy Bears and stuffed animals of all shapes, sizes and colors were part of a special holiday delivery on Tuesday, December 15, 2009. San Diegans opened their wallets and hearts, donating thousands of stuffed toys to Rady Children's Hospital in the 19th Annual Regional Law Enforcement Teddy Bear Drive.

The Port of San Diego Harbor Police Department was the host agency for this year's event.

"We've got almost all the law enforcement agencies participating -- this year we have the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard participating," said Officer Christine Sperry of the San Diego Harbor Police Department. "Our primary goal is to keep the hospital stocked all year long, so each child being treated receives a stuffed animal to help them through their healing process."

"Being in law enforcement, my whole goal is you work for the community. You give back to the community and this is one way I get to do that," Sperry said.

The event kicked off at the USS Midway Museum bright and early. Officers from 25 different law enforcement agencies joined forces, and stuffed their patrol cars with teddy bears. Even Santa and Mrs. Claus came down from the North Pole - or at least North County's Escondido Police Department - a little early to spread holiday cheer.

Officer Sperry's patrol car led the "care-a-van" procession. Law enforcement officers from around San Diego County with sirens blaring and lights flashing took off in unison from the Midway, down Harbor Drive, heading for Rady Children's Hospital.

Once at the hospital, the joy is easy to see on each and every child's face. Normally, the officers hand deliver the toys, but due to concerns over the H1N1 virus, the bears were handed out to the children by hospital staff instead. A select number of patients were allowed outside to pick their favorite toy.

"These donations are part of the healing environment that we strive to create... to bring smiles to our patients, their siblings and their parents," said Amanda Austin, corporate and community development officer for Rady Children's Hospital.

The drive origins began in 1990, when work took then Officer Brian Hardy of the Coronado Police Department to the hospital, just two days before Christmas. He got lost inside and took a wrong turn out a side door, where he found a donation bin nearly empty he decided to help out.

"I was going to Montgomery Ward's at the time and they had a sale on bears and I had an epiphany, 'I'll buy some bears and put them in a police car. I think kids will get a kick out of (it).' So I bought 12 bears – it was just myself - and I filled out the donation slip," said Detective Task Force Officer Brian Hardy.

Word spread, volunteers from around San Diego stepped up, and now 19 years later, instead of a dozen bears, the collection nets about 60,000. In addition, the teddy bear drive now has major sponsors, including the San Diego Chargers, Sycuan Casino, Bank of the West, the USS Midway and Geico Insurance, who donated $5,000 to Rady Children's Hospital this year.

But what has touched Detective Hardy the most was his own personal experience involving his sick daughter.

"Her appendix burst the night of the teddy bear drive. And we were here when the cops came. We were the recipients of the drive. The Chargers came in and my own daughter was very, very sick. And it really fed my fire. It just really motivated me to get out there in the community. And I'd love to take this nationwide," he said. "It really does bring home the holidays. What you see here is a very small part of what we can do as law enforcement officers."

"It's very touching, especially when you go to the cancer ward and you get that one little smile when you hand them that bear. That's what it's all about," said Sperry.

The event will come full circle next year, with the Coronado Police Department heading up the 20th Annual Teddy Bear Drive.