We did it! A record breaking year! With your help and generosity, the Martha’s Vineyard Teddy Bear Suite raised over $15,000 for the Martha’s Vineyard Boys & Girls Club After School Program which serves hundreds of Island families, keeping kids happy, safe and healthy after school.
Through online donations, the Teddy Bear Trot Fun Run, private VIP events, donations made in-person, and other special events, we were able to raise a record amount of money. Raising $15,000 brings the total raised for the Club over five years to $50,000!
$50,000 Raised In 5 Years!
$50,000 going directly to the After School Program. With your help, we have bought art supplies, a new projector, healthy snacks, a new ping pong table, helped fund additional support staff, improvements to the Game Room, and so much more.
The magic of the teddy bears is real and changes lives. The bears in the suite bring so much joy to kids big and small, and of all ages, from 1 – 100. Outside those four walls, we are making the Boys & Girls Club an even better place for Island kids.
The After School Program is such a vital program for the Island. It might not work for everyone, but the amount of elementary aged children that it helps is truly amazing. A place to play, a place to get snacks, a place to do your homework, and have the right support to do it well, is priceless for so many Island families.
Know that your support makes a difference.
It’s not all serious though at the teddy bear suite. When there, you get lost in the holiday splendor, wrapped in the fuzzy arms of the bears larger than most adults.
For me, it’s sitting with TisBeary, my daughter and son beside me, reading the fun bear-themed books, especially, Corduroy’s Christmas Surprise. The holiday lights, the bears, the soft music, it’s a piece of quiet during a somewhat crazy time of year. It’s a place where holiday memories are made.
Don’t forget to add #mvteddybearsuite to your bear-iffic pics!
Beary Thankful
To help reach that $15,000, so many people helped! All the volunteers, the businesses who donated to the Teddy Bear Suite raffle hosted during Christmas in Edgartown, Jen Smyth who donated 30 bears from her collection, the Harbor View Hotel, not only as host but also the sales of Henry the Bear, and of course the Chocolate Teddy Martini (a portion of each drink went to the Club).
And of course a big thank you to everyone who donated at the Teddy Bear Suite and online, whether here on the Island or half a world away. If you’d like to help, click here to donate. Donations are still coming in!
We are still in awe of the love and generosity. This is such a community event and has become an important holiday tradition on Martha’s Vineyard.
J
ust wait and see what surprises we have in-store for next year!
Thanks for reading the On Point Blog. You can learn more about the Martha’s Vineyard Teddy Bear Suite and the Martha’s Vineyard Boys & Girls Club on Facebook, including more about special holiday events. You can also discover the latest happenings on MVTeddybearsuite.com.