Penson School students in Grovedale donated more than 100 new teddy bears to pediatric patients via the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Foundation (GPRHF).
The ‘stuffy drive’ ran through the month of February and was led by a group of five members of the student council from Grades 7 and 8. The student council includes Carlie Hemerle, Grayson Fedorchuk, Sadie McAusland, Zoe Smith, and Brie Beattie.
Pension School Principal Nicole Gillies says the stuffy drive ended with amazing results. “The idea to host a stuffy drive came directly from the students. It’s been so successful, we hope to make it an annual event.”
According to GPRHF spokesperson Sally Bellerose, the Foundation hands out nearly 10,000 stuffed animals to pediatric patients each year, but they run low in October last year.
Bellerose is encouraging people to donate as they are always in need of stuffed animals.