This past week, we finished a revised version of our 26th annual Operation Teddy Bear program despite all the pandemic restrictions. More than 50,000 items were delivered into the hands of more than 2,500 low-income first grade students across five local school districts. In addition, more than 10,000 additional books were distributed to local area nonprofits to help families in need.
More than 300 volunteers including residents, local business employees and service organization members dedicated hundreds of hours to help build items, pack, deliver, and attend 55 virtual lessons/storytimes via Zoom. For many of our volunteers, Operation Teddy Bear was the first in-person activity available in more than a year of COVID shutdown.
One Long Beach first grade teacher shared with us that she was overjoyed with the program. "My kids have been through so much this year, I was so grateful when I heard our school would still benefit. The kids were thrilled to come back to school and find the gifts on their desks the first day. It was wonderful to see."
Corporate volunteers also reported that it was powerful to see all the smiles, energy and technology-know-how that the first grade students demonstrated over Zoom. "It's incredible what the teachers have been able to accomplish over this past year. I felt so grateful to be a part of this special moment."
