25th Annual Children’s Caravan Contact: Robert Bonheimer (Publicity Chairman) 330-605-2319 TEDDY BEAR RIDE or mail to Penny Martin (founder) 820 Logan Ave. NW Sunday, September 15, 2019 New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663 SILVER ANNIVERSARY RUN! Contact: Robert Bonheimer (Publicity Chairman) 330-605-2319 or mail to Penny Martin (founder) 820 Logan Ave. NW New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663 Teddybearride25akron@yahoo.com Facebook: www.Facebook.com/TeddyBearRide Twitter: @TeddyBearRide / Instagram: TeddyBearRide
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Children’s Hospital hosts 25th Annual Teddy Bear Ride Young patients receive comfort in stuffed animals
Akron Children’s Hospital is hosting the Children’s Caravan Teddy Bear Ride again for the 25th year! The Silver Anniversary run is Sunday, September 15th and +3,000 motorcyclists will arrive police-escorted at 2:00 pm for the presentation of bears to the young patients and hospital staff. Riders come from over 20 counties throughout Ohio and several surrounding states every third Sunday of September.
This milestone ride benefits young patients, the Child Life Department, and the NICU / PICU units. The special delivery includes new teddy bears and stuffed toys of all sizes and raises funds for playroom(s) supplies. The stuffed toys provide unconditional comfort, love, and protection for the young kids during their hospital stay or appointments. We tend to forget that some of the most simple or complex medical procedures or visits can be traumatic to our young children. The bears and stuffed toys help the kids cope in scary times.
Bring your new, tagged, & bagged bears to share! Riders can join the special event at Adventure Harley Davidson from I-77 in Dover, Ohio – Exit 81 with registration starting at 9:00 am. Rolling Thunder Ohio Chapter 2 of Akron opens with a personal tribute to our Veterans during a special flag ceremony and each veteran attending will be pinned throughout the day for their bravery and selfless service. The fee to attend with a new bear or toy is $5.00 or $15.00 without per person. Food trucks and concessions are available for breakfast and lunch along with prize drawings for those attending. All motorcycles are welcome!
Each year the Children’s Caravan event committee chooses 3 to 4 regional children in need that has stayed at Children’s Hospital. Referrals are made from multiple county agencies, local businesses or schools. This year 5 young regional children have been chosen to be a prince or princess for the day and receive “small wishes” to celebrate their bravery and /or needs for their homes to improve their quality of life. They are: Gavin, age 7, Akron / Springfield Twp.; Karson, age 3, Uhrichsville; Nathan, age 10, Massillon / Navarre; and Bella, age 13 and Phoenix, age 7 both from Cambridge. See the kids and read their individual stories of bravery on our Facebook page and follow the event down to the wire and beyond! Please share with your social media contacts! Believe in the power of a stuffed toy! We will also recognize many children from the past 25 years.
Anniversary t-shirts and patches are available with Children’s Caravan volunteers at Quaker Steak and Lube Bike Nights on Wednesdays, weekly at the North Canton location. They will be available on Saturday, September 7th at the Midvale Speedway Racetrack. See our Facebook for details! Several short videos of past rides are available to view on YouTube for Teddy bear ride – Akron.
Rider safety is our ultimate concern. The ride is police escorted by 7 law enforcement agencies along the +65-mile parade route. Residents are encouraged to watch and cheer on the parade starting in Dover at 1:00pm. The ride begins on Ste. Rte. 39 West to Commercial Avenue. The parade then uses I-77 North to the Route 224 West exit 122A (left) then proceeds to the South Main Street exit (right) then (left) on South Main to Exchange Street (left) to the Akron Children’s Hospital complex.
Not a rider? Participation is still encouraged. Non-riders are invited to participate by riding in spirit and donating their new teddy bears or toys to the following locations regionally: All Sarchione Auto Group dealerships located in Randolph / Alliance / Waynesburg, Quaker Steak and Lube Restaurant in Canton, Adventure Harley in Dover, Dollar Tree in New Philadelphia, and the Quanex Corporation in Cambridge.
Monetary donations can also be given sent to the Children’s Caravan address to be delivered to the hospital on September 15th. Please make checks payable to Akron Children’s Hospital / Child Life Department or the NICU / PICU units. Businesses and individuals can become a sponsor in many ways. See the wish lists for the children & the event for more information on Facebook.
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