Now in its 14th year, Bears4Children\u2019s<\/a> has put more than 2,700 Build-a-Bear teddy bears in the arms of patients at Dayton Children\u2019s Hospital. In 2020 alone, the organization distributed 629 bears to children in the hospital. Its goal this year is 650 bears.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is a lot of work at times, but it is definitely all worth it. It\u2019s very rewarding,\u201d said Hess. \u201cMy favorite part is afterwards seeing parents post pictures of their kids in the hospital with the bears because it really does make a difference even though it\u2019s just a very small act of kindness.\u201d<\/p>\n Bears4Children\u2019s teams up with Build-A-Bear Workshop. Many of the bears are purchased by sponsors and built by volunteers at the local Build-A-Bear store. The bears are then packed up and delivered to the hospital.<\/p>\n Up until Dec. 22, people can go to Build-a-Bear at The Mall at Fairfield Commons anytime during store hours and purchase and stuff their bear(s) and leave them there for Hess to pick up. Two event days are planned in which the community can purchase, stuff and make donations together: Dec. 20 from 4 to 8 p.m. and Dec. 23 from 8 to 11 a.m.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat they\u2019re doing really fits in with our mission statement, which is add a little more heart to life,\u201d said Brian Reigelsperger, chief workshop manager at Build-A-Bear. \u201cWe\u2019re thrilled to be partners with Bears4Children\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n Wright State marketing major Callista Hess and her family run an organization that delivers personalized teddy bears to sick children. (Video by Kris Sproles)<\/p><\/div>\n The idea of Bears4Children\u2019s was planted following Hess\u2019 brother Tayton\u2019s hospital stay, during which time he was given the stuffed animal. A few years later, Hess, her mother and brothers got some cousins together and built 12 bears. And then it just kept growing.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen patients receive these Build-a-Bears, it\u2019s not just something someone ordered on Amazon and bought in bulk and sent to the hospital,\u201d said Hess. \u201cThis is what other people are taking their time to stuff and put some love into to give it to a complete stranger that\u2019s just got the extra stress of being in the hospital over the holidays.\u201d<\/p>\n Tayton said Bears4Children\u2019s has shown him that even the smallest acts can make a big impact on people.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom participating, not only do the recipients feel better, but I myself feel better knowing that I helped to make a difference,\u201d said Tayton, a Wright State biological sciences major<\/a> and member of the cross country team and Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.<\/p>\n Callista is also on the track and field team and a member of the Kappa Delta sorority.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is a lot of positivity there and people are very inclusive at Wright State,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Hess likes the business world and the many options marketing offers. She sees a possible career in health care administration.<\/p>\n Tayton Hess, a biological sciences major at Wright State, said Bears4Children\u2019s has shown him that the smallest acts can make a big impact on others.<\/p><\/div>\n Callista said Bears4Children\u2019s is a great opportunity for younger children to make an impact on the community.<\/p>\n \u201cThey spend all this time picking out a bear, stuffing it, dressing it, just to leave it here to be given to a stranger. That\u2019s really difficult for some kids sometimes,\u201d she said. \u201cFor many kids, this is their first time learning how to give back, and I think it\u2019s an awesome step.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Wright State marketing major Callista Hess and her family run an organization that delivers personalized teddy bears to sick children. Continue reading ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/files\/2021\/01\/Callista-Hessjpg-508x309.jpg\")
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