Teddy Bear Drive At The Salvation Army In Great Falls, Montana
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Editor's Note: This post was originally published on the Great Falls Tribune newsite. To access the original article, please click HERE or to read more news and stories, please click HERE.
The stuffed animals sitting on those basement shelves can have a new life.
The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary is seeking donations of stuffed animals and dolls in good condition for its annual Teddy Bear Sale in November.
“We clean them up, put ribbons on them, and get them ready for the sale,” Ceil Timmer of the Women’s Auxiliary said Thursday. The annual sale is now being merged with the Auxiliary’s Christmas Bizarre.
“We are trying something new this year. We think it will go very well,” she said.
The Women’s Auxiliary is accepting stuffed animals and dolls today at the Salvation Army Thrift Store. The bears and dolls will be refurbished and then sold in an effort to raise funds for the Salvation Army’s youth programs.
The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary has been serving the Great Falls community with its time and fundraising efforts since 1974. The Women’s Auxiliary is mainly comprised of retirement-aged women.
“We have one woman that is 92. But you wouldn’t know she was 92 with how much energy she has.” Timmer said. They meet from October through May to coordinate fundraising and distribution functions.
The funds also grant scholarships to youths who cannot afford the summer program put on by the Salvation Army in the summer. In addition to the summer program, the Salvation Army also has its own flag football and basketball programs.
”There are over 650 kids in the flag football program now,” Gary Bistodeau said. “And we desperately need volunteers to coach the kids and help out.” Registration for flag football starts Aug. 1.
“I firmly believe that the community needs volunteers. … I like giving back,” Timmer said.
To help
Bring donations to Salvation Army Thrift Store at 616 1st Ave. N.W. or call Salvation Army Corps building at 453-0391 to volunteer.