Teddy Bear Day, charity drive coming to downtown Glendale on 9/11

PHOENIX — An annual teddy bear drive in Glendale will be held Sept. 11 to benefit children experiencing traumatic situations.

Teddy Bear Day will run between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. near Glendale and 59th avenues.

The event features activities such as decorating a chocolate bear, a tour of the downtown area in a shuttle and a chance to meet Arizona search dogs.

The donated bears go directly to Glendale first responders who give the bears to children in need, according to the release.

“We realize the importance of this fateful date and have discussed with first responders who provided us with the assurance that there is no better place to be than with the community on this date,” Valerie Burner, owner of Bears & More and Teddy Bear Day event founder, said in the release.

Bears & More, located near the festivities, says the teddy bears it will be selling for $10 are safety-approved and will be donated to the Glendale Fire Department, Glendale Police Department, local emergency rooms and the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.

Since the charity drive started, more than 10,000 bears have been donated, according to the release.

The Glendale Fire Department and Glendale Police Department will also have vehicles on display in the Caitlin Court retail district.

More information about the event can be found online.

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