Emergency responders and hospitals often give out free teddy bears to children involved in an emergency or frightening situation. Through the month of March, all Bartell Drugs stores, including the Ballard store at 5605 22nd Ave NW., are collecting new or gently used bears and money for the Annual Warm 106.9 FM Teddy Bear Patrol campaign.

From the press release: “Designed to help bridge the communication gap between a frightened child and an adult stranger, the program puts a teddy bear in the hands of community police departments, hospitals and emergency response teams so they may give the bear to a child involved in a stressful situation.”

To donate, you can either purchase the Bartell Teddy Bear for $7 (Bartell Drugs will then donate a second bear to the campaign); donate money towards the purchase of a bear; or donate a new or gently used bear that is under 12 inches long.