09/12/2025
Happy National Teddy Bear Day! š§ø
Today, our residents learned about the beautiful mission behind a very special organization: Good Bears of the World (GBW).
Founded in 1969 in Bern, Switzerland, GBW was created by the late radio pioneer James Theodore Ownby, Colonel Robert Henderson of England, and English actor Peter Bull. Their shared dream was to spread love, comfort, and compassion to children and the elderly through the simple, heartwarming gift of a teddy bear.
Mr. Ownby's vision has lived on for more than four decades, with members around the world continuing the mission.
GBW was the first organization to donate teddy bears to police departments in the early 1980s ā a program that has grown significantly over the years. Since its founding, hundreds of thousands of teddy bears have been given to those in need of comfort and care.
Good Bears have brought love and healing to those affected by tragic events such as the Oklahoma City bombing, the crash of TWA Flight 800, September 11th, Hurricane Katrina, Kansas tornadoes and floods, and the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
Firefighters, police officers, emergency responders, psychologists, and grief counselors have witnessed the incredible healing power a teddy bear can offer during times of trauma ā especially for children and their families.
Today, Good Bears of the World remains active and continues to grow, spreading hope one teddy bear at a time.
