The San Diego Regional Law Enforcement Teddy Bear Drive began in 1990, when Officer Brian Hardy from the Coronado Police Department was on a routine follow up call at Rady Children’s Hospital. Navigating the halls of the hospital, Brian got lost looking for an exit when he noticed a bin marked “Toy Donations.” The nearly empty bin inspired Brian to take action, so he purchased 12 teddy bears with
his own money and donated them to Rady Children’s. Twenty-nine years later, the San Diego Regional Law Enforcement Teddy Bear Drive has grown from one officer and 12 teddy bears to more than 100 officers representing 15 agencies raising donations used to purchase sealed teddy bears for young patients and more importantly, to support Bedtime Carts and Bereavement Boxes. Bedtime carts make nightly rounds at Rady Children’s Hospital and contain items of comfort for the patients and their families. Bereavement boxes are a personal, creative, and therapeutic way for a terminally-ill child to compile customized mementos for their family to cherish over time, after their loss. Each year, one agency volunteers to lead the Teddy Bear Drive, meeting monthly with the other agency representatives to plan fundraising events throughout the year. All of the planning and tireless efforts culminate in the December event at Rady Children's Hospital with representatives from local, state and federal law enforcement agencies where the donations are presented to Rady Children’s Hospital and the new lead agency takes over. The San Diego Regional Law Enforcement Teddy Bear Drive is a unique event onto itself. A year-long fundraising campaign ends in December with caravan of police cars and motorcycles traveling San Diego’s streets and highways to Rady Children’s Hospital. A crowd of cheering patients, parents and staff greet the officers as they arrive filling up the driveway in front of the Rose Pavilion. After a brief ceremony, the officers visit patients in various departments in the hospital, offering a teddy bear and well wishes to every patient. Each child treasures this special visit and enjoys the comfort of their new teddy bear, creating memories to last a lifetime. The National City Police Department is honored to host the 29th Annual San Diego Regional Law Enforcement Teddy Bear Drive. Follow us on Instagram and the 2019 host agency !
