Manahawkin Charity Brings Teddy Bears, Hope To Hospital Children

MANAHAWKIN, NJ — The charity Bear Hugs strives to bring a moment of joy each year to children who are in the hospital during the holidays.

Since 2007, the Manahawkin-based charity led by Tracey Brummer has been hand delivering stuffed teddy bears to hospitalized children before Christmas.

Bear Hugs is still fundraising this holiday season to ensure children at Southern Ocean Medical Center's Pediatric Care Center in Manahawkin and Nemours Children’s Hospital in Delaware have a new fuzzy friend by Christmas morning.

In the charity’s first year, volunteers handed out 17 teddy bears to hospital children. Bear Hugs is aiming to surpass its 2020 goal and give out 601 teddy bears this year. The charity is about halfway to reaching its goal.

Bear Hugs accepts monetary donations so they can purchase teddy bears directly from stores like Build-A-Bear, Walmart and Five Below. Since the price of a bear varies from store to store, Brummer assures donors that any amount of money they can give will make a difference.

To donate, people can send money through Venmo to @BearHugsInc or by check to 297 Route 72 W Box 317, Manahawkin NJ 08050.

The charity is also hosting a breakfast with Santa event on Sunday, Dec. 19 at TGI Fridays in Manahawkin as their final fundraiser of the season before they deliver the teddy bears next week.

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