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ALL ABOUT TEDDIES TO GO....
 HAPPY TYMES Collectibles expanded its GLOBAL DESIGNS line in early 2001. I developed TEDDIES TO GO with the idea of providing satisfying fun for teddy collectors and non-collectors, young and old alike.
An invitation to provide a bear stuffing event for a huge corporate picnic in New York City, and another in Washington DC. that summer, propelled me (Bev) in this new direction with manufactured bears. With 20 years of bearmaking and design behind me, and more recently acquired manufacturing/distribution knowledge, it was an opportunity just waiting to happen! With a crew of 15 Cubbie Leaders (all family and friends) drafted to "teach", we led the charge. Looking back, it is hard to believe that we completed 800 bears in 6 uninterrupted hours that first day. Exhausted and exhilarated, we gathered when they were all gone for a group picture, with big smiles on our faces and joy in our hearts. "Well done", I told them!
In the planning stages, three things were on my mind:
It had to be interactive, a simple design that required no special skills or tools.
It had to be cute, soft, durable and washable.
It had to be very affordable for everyone, and of the highest quality.
I wanted everyone to love a bear, especially my grandchildren! This would be my way to "get them hooked on a bear"! The complete take-home kits would offer young and old alike the opportunity to enjoy the hands-on process of stuffing and finishing their own bear, panda or bunny. With no special skills necessary, anyone would be able to make this new huggable friend come to life anywhere, anytime they choose. Each one would be available in a variety of colors and come with a choice of brightly colored tee shirts that could be personalized by its owner. My "Teddies" are intended to be stuffed individually, or done as a group activity. It is great fun to take a big barrel of stuffing and bins of bunnies, bears, pandas and shirts to a party, and then watch everyone get busy picking and stuffing! I always tell them," If you can put on your socks, you can make this bear"
Virtually everyone who "creates" a TEDDIES TO GO bear, is delighted with the simple hands-on process and the outcome. Here are the responses from just a few happy "graduates"........
"I wanted to thank you for my Teddy To Go Bear. He's a wonderful sentiment from a good time in life and I can say to everyone, I helped make him! Thanks so much?? Amee"
"We just attended the Show in Virginia. We considered going to the "mall" to stuff a teddy bear. However, while at the Christmas Market, we took Savannah and Jacob to your booth at the fair, and let them stuff their own. It was nice one-on-one time with the kids and yourselves. The quality of the materials was excellent, and the learning experience priceless. Far better than going to the "mall". A good time was had by all 4 of us. Keep up the good work. Thanks again??.Tina, Paul, Savannah, and Jacob"
"Even with my limitations, I was able to make my new bear friend today. He will be a comfort to me in the hospital because he is definitely going along for support! Thanks a million. Bonnie"
Since its inception, I believe that I have recreated this Bear Stuffing Experience at every possible venue: meetings, conventions, shops, hospitals, picnics, parties, big and small. One by one, or with family groups in the privacy of their homes, Teddies To Go have brought smiles and happiness to places that I will never know. Great ideas constantly surface for new uses, like an ice bag, a heated bag or potpourri in the tummy. Stuffed soft, he is a nice neck pillow and a good traveling companion. The little ID bag in his tummy can hold treasures, like a lock of hair, or a personal memento for its owner.
One thing is certain about Teddies To Go...., "It is the most fun you'll ever have, making a new friend"!
My most memorable experience while presenting Teddies To Go has been at the Children's Hospital of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. We were asked to help provide some fun experience for the patients and their families at a party on the oncology unit. A benefactor provided the party whose brother had recently lost his life to leukemia.
Since my profession is nursing, I was so pleased to be given this opportunity. In my memories, one little girl stands out in particular on that day. Her mother brought her in a small stroller with all her tubing attached. She was so very ill. Painful treatments and limitations become a fact of life for these little ones. She told her mommy to stuff the bear for her. She only wanted to "hold the heart". (See attached picture) My prayer was, and is to this day, that her little heart continues to beat longer and stronger with the care and love that surrounds her.
My reflection on that day is very philosophical and sentimental. Until 1983 I had spent about 20 years administering to the nursing needs of ill and injured children and their families. Now 20 years later, I was back on a pediatric unit, ministering to the emotional needs of the heart. Incidentally, this time it was with something totally different and very close to my own heart....the teddy bear.
MANY HAPPY TYMES TO YOU, Bev White @ (610) 873-0407 or www.teddiestogo.com
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