The program is modeled after the Attleboro Area Council for Children's Bears on Board program which began in 1990. In 1997, Mid-State Insurance Agency, Inc. brought the Bears on Board Program to Central Massachusetts (Worcester, Spencer, and Charlton). The teddy bears have been in such demand that, in August 2001, we held our first annual Teddy Bear Picnic to raise awareness in the program. Due to the increasing demand for teddy bears, in 2002 the program was incorporated as a non-profit organization to attract corporate sponsors.

Why We Continue

The feedback received has been tremendous. The Bears on Board program has eased the stress that police and fire personnel experience and at the same time reduced the trauma for children who experience very scary and unsure times when a stranger must take them away for whatever reason.

The Juvenile Department of the Worcester Police has been particularly grateful. They have said many times that unfortunately they can use as many bears a we can send. The bears have been helpful in many situations from comforting a young girl whose mother was arrested to putting smiles on the faces of young cancer patients at the UMass Medical Cancer Ward.

A Lieutenant told the story of a mother with four young children who showed up at the police department with nothing but the clothes on their back. They were running from an abusive husband. While getting the family into a safe house, the police office gave each of the children a teddy bear. The office said, "I wish you could see the faces of the children. It's a good thing you're doing."