27 TH ANNUAL
San Diego Regional Law Enforcement Teddy Bear Drive to Benefit Rady Children ’ s Hospital
By : Chief Jon Froomin , Coronado Police Department
One of the annual charitable events that has mushroomed in size and scope , is the San Diego Regional Law Enforcement Teddy Bear Drive . Nearly 20 law enforcement agencies , at the local , state and federal levels , will participate in the 2017 edition of the drive . Last year 60,000 stuffed animals were delivered to Rady Children ’ s Hospital . The Teddy Bear drive has an Executive Committee comprised of law enforcement and Hospital representatives . This group oversees the major expenses and overall direction of the program . An Operations Committee is comprised of representatives of all involved agencies . The Chairmanship of the Operations Committee rotates annually among the involved departments . The Operations Committee plans and carries out the annual event , while brainstorming new ideas to further serve the children at the regional children ’ s hospital .
The event was founded in 1990 by now-retired Coronado Police Officer Brian Hardy . During an interview with Hardy in 2015 , which celebrated his retirement from the Coronado Police Department after a 29-year career , he provided an outline of the origins of the drive . After witnessing a nearly empty toy donation bin at Rady Children ’ s Hospital , Hardy decided to take action . Taking advantage of a 50 percent off sale on teddy bears at a local store , Hardy purchased 12 bears and with the permission of then-Coronado Police Chief Jack Drown , he placed the bears in a police car and delivered them to the hospital , all on Hardy ’ s personal time .
It was a great idea of Brian ’ s after finding a need , to fill the void . The Teddy Bear Drive started small and developed into a regional effort . It now is much more than just stuffed animals for the youthful patients at Rady Children ’ s Hospital . In September 2017 , remote controlled , electric ride-on cars for kids were unveiled . The idea is to transport kids from pre-op to surgery , a trip that is stressful
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