When we realized that our annual holiday fundraising event the Martha’s Vineyard Teddy Bear Suite would not be able to be the same in-person experience that makes it such magical family fun, we knew we had to pivot, and still create something special. It is after all, the 10th Anniversary of the MV Teddy Bear Suite, and the Martha’s Vineyard Boys & Girls Club still needed the financial support this event produces. So, a little holiday magic happened with Point B and the Edgartown Board of Trade, which makes for a wonderful HOLIDAY addition to our We Love MV series – We Love MV: Supporting Our Neighbors With Teddies Around Town.
WE LOVE MV: Supporting Our Neighbors With Teddies Around Town From The Martha’s Vineyard Teddy Bear Suite
In mid-November, we sat down with Edgartown Board of Trade President, Erin Ready, to talk about how to participate in this year’s “magically modified” Christmas in Edgartown.
We needed something that was outside, allowed for physical distancing, could raise money, and add holiday magic to Christmas in Edgartown.
Erin suggested the teddies become the event known as “Elf on the Shelf,” a yearly scavenger hunt that happened on Sunday of Christmas in Edgartown. However, instead of having the elves in the stores, we would ask businesses to hide bears in their storefront display windows instead. This would allow for kids of all ages to enjoy the “hunt,” but limit indoor time, and keep shops free for shoppers.
We also talked about how the shops would benefit too – people are in town and they are literally window shopping as they look for the the bears hidden around town. On November 22nd we decided to make it happen and in two days, we had over 30 businesses ask to participate in the event, and on November 28th, we held our first Teddies Around Town Holiday Scavenger Hunt and it was an immediate favorite!
WE LOVE MV: Supporting Our Neighbors With Teddies Around Town – How It Works
What is Teddies Around Town? Teddies Around Town is a safe, festive, outdoor scavenger hunt for a cause. Details on how it works:
- The scavenger hunt begins at Point B, where kids can pick up their riddles and stamp at 19 Winter Street, Edgartown.
- There is a suggested donation of $5.00 per participant, which goes to Point B’s Martha’s Vineyard Teddy Bear Suite fundraiser for the Martha’s Vineyard Boys & Girls Club.
- Riddles will take kids around downtown Edgartown, from display window to display window, seeking bears of all shapes and sizes.
- Kids will stamp their own riddle sheets when bears are found to keep it 2020 friendly.
- It’s a new level of family fun and interaction because the riddles often are best solved with some parent collaboration and involvement.
- The hunt ends back at Point B, where each participant gets a fuzzy prize!
When is Teddies Around Town? We began this magical holiday event the weekend after Thanksgiving. With it’s overwhelming success, we have added another day and extended the hours for our grand finale this weekend, Christmas in Edgartown.
- Friday, December 11th, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Saturday, December 12th, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Sunday, December 13th, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
As we enter out third weekend of Teddies Around Town, we have had a lot of positive feedback, for a number of reasons. People are excited to have something fun and different to do. The event is outside and people can easily maintain a safe distance. People learned things about Edgartown, Erin Ready is a great riddle crafter, and last but not least, and don’t tell anyone, at the end of the search, participants get an adorable MVTBS teddy bear to take home with them. The surprise and joy on children’s faces is such a gift!
In addition to offering a memorable holiday experience, we have been able to continue the MVTBS as cornerstone Christmas in Edgartown event, raising the needed money for the Martha’s Vineyard Boys & Girls Club.
One of the best parts about this event is that it brings people to town where many do shop after or event during Teddies Around Town. It is an event that helps our business community and stays on point with our fundraising tradition.
We have over 30 businesses participating, and we can’t tell you who they are just yet (they’re part of the scavenger hunt riddle sheet). You’ll have to wait until after the weekend. However, we are grateful for their participation and so happy to help support fellow small businesses.
WE LOVE MV: Supporting Our Neighbors With Teddies Around Town + The Teddy Bear Trot
This is also the final weekend for the Teddy Bear Trot Virtual 5k Run & Walk. You can still register and be eligible to win prizes for festive attire and more. Click here to sign up today.
Now entering our 10th enchanting year, the Martha’s Vineyard Teddy Bear Suite, created and sponsored by Point B Realty, is a magical holiday tradition where family memories are made, and the money raised goes to help the Martha’s Vineyard Boys And Girls Club and their vital after school services and food program Healthy Happy Kids (H2K) used by families across the Island every week.
We now hope to bring our 10-year total close to $250,000. We have raised $216,000 in the first nine years. We are currently just under $22,000, but we need your help. Most of our fundraising is done online. You can donate here.
We hope that you will add the Teddies Around Town Holiday Scavenger Hunt to your calendar this weekend. For a full list of Christmas in Edgartown events, click here.
We hope you are staying safe during these times. Please don’t forget to “Like” Point B Realty on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter, Linked In, Pinterest, Youtube and Instagram.