1,000 stuffed animals donated to YRMC’s pediatric unit
The Foothills Cruisers make a massive donation in annual Teddy Bear Benefit
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - Every February the Foothills Cruisers put on an annual car show where they also have a Teddy Bear Benefit.
Tuesday, for the sixth straight year, the vintage car club rolled into Yuma Regional Medical Center (YRMC), delivering over 1,000 stuffed animals to children suffering traumatic injuries and illnesses in the pediatric unit.
This idea came about after club member Richard Craig's daughter was involved in a head-on collision with his granddaughter in the backseat.
Craig said, “I come to the hospital and one of the nurses says I’m sorry we’re all out of bears. I was confused. What do you mean you’re all out of bears. She said generally we give bears. These teddy bears are a moment of pure peace and recovery for [children]."
Doris Casey of the Foothills Cruisers added, “Being sick and needing some comforting, and sometimes having to bribe [children] when they have to start an IV or something on them. So it's a perfect thing, kids can relate to teddy bears and stuffed animals and its something they can take home."
The Foothills Cruisers say the Yuma community has been extremely generous by donating more and more to the cause each year.