What is the Bear Fair? 

An event to give comfort to children. Anyone can participate- individuals and groups.

Your teddy bear could be the one that goes to a child:

who has to undergo surgery

who has lost everything in a house fire

needs comfort because a family member is ill

Your teddy bear, although small, makes a huge difference to a sad or sick child during the holidays!

The Bear Fair is a student-run project that collects teddy bears to provide comfort to children impacted by HIV/AIDS and those in hospitals, shelters, and in need at holiday time. 

Started in 1997 by a WCU student, this project has grown over the years and is now coordinated by a student committee through the Office of Service-Learning And Volunteer Programs.    Many alumni and community groups are involved.

We collect on campus in academic buildings and the student union and at a range of locations off campus such as churches, youth groups and schools where alumni are teaching.  We also accept monetary donations and checks can be made payable to "SSI 380 Bear Fair"!

Since this project is age appropriate for all it has become very successful- everyone enjoys picking out a soft cuddly teddy bear to donate.  Last year we collected more than 6,000 and everyone was given to a child to keep- click on the Who Benefits From the Bear Fair link to the left.

We work directly with Case Managers who create a wish list through their contacts.  They assist in delivering the bears so we know that all bears go to a child who needs one. We can never get too many bears – there is always a child who can benefit.                             

Teddy bears give hugs that keep on giving.  We need to collect NEW because the hospitals cannot take used ones. 

If you are interested in collecting with a group on or off campus, please call the Office of Service-Learning & Volunteer Programs at 610/436-3379.

  PLEASE DONATE SOFT CUDDLY TEDDY BEARS NOT THE ITMES LISTED BELOW!

UNBEARABLES- PLEASE DO NOT DONATE ITEMS LIKE THIS: 

Actual donations 

Look how we have grown!