A Lake Forest Park Police Officer handed a stuffed animal to a child amid an Amber Alert earlier this week. In an act of compassion, police officers and first responders are giving children toys to cope with traumatic incidents.
Departments throughout Northwest Washington have this program in place as a part of an annual Bartell Drugs drive for the stuffed animals. In partnership with WARM 106.9 FM, the “Teddy Bear Patrol” campaign runs April 1 through 28 and is in its 29th year of operation.
Stores in King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties are designated locations for teddy bear donations. The drug stores are also sponsoring a matching bear program in which they’ll match each customer’s purchase of an official “Bartell Bear” for $8 and they will donate the second bear to the campaign.
Last year’s drive saw more than 15,000 bears donated to the cause. The stores are accepting donations through April 28 and are asking for bears to longer than 12 inches.
