News Releases

2023 Teddy Bear Hugs U Golf Tourney – Registration Form

GOLF REGISTRATION FORM

On Saturday, June 10, 2023, teddy bear hugs U will be hosting our 12th Annual Golf, Raffle, and Silent Auction Event at Oneka Ridge Golf Course in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. This event is open to the public and we hope you can participate. Also please feel free to pass this information on to your family, friends, and co-workers. We are hoping to make this event our largest one yet.

On behalf of teddy bear hugs U, please consider this a great opportunity for you to participate in and/or become a Sponsor of the Event for 2023. A sponsorship will provide advertising and publicity for you and/or your company plus this gives you the opportunity to reach out to meet new friends and potential new customers. Of equal importance is the demonstration of your support for the mission of teddy bear hugs U.

Our Mission Statement remains:
Enhancing the Patient experience at the University of Minnesota Mason’s Children’s Hospital and the University of Minnesota Medical Center, by providing a higher level of comfort to patients who at times feel so far away from home and are faced with the uncertainty of their health and well-being.

teddy bear hugs U is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Corporation established June 2011 with the sole purpose of raising funds for the purchase of Teddy Bears that are then distributed to the Patients at the University of Minnesota Mason’s Children’s Hospital, and the University of Minnesota Medical Center. All proceeds from the Golf, Raffle, and Silent Auction go directly to our Fund. Since 2011, we have raised over $60,000.00 and distributed over (5,000) Teddy Bears. Please help us meet and exceed our 2023 goal of $20,000.00.


Inspirational Letters from Teddy Bear patients and parents

Hey Tom,
I just wanted to take a minute and thank you for giving my daughter the teddy bear. Her smile lit up the room when I handed it to her. I enjoyed visiting with you, & if I can ever repay the favor, please let me know!

Michael Kenney
Nacogdoches, Texas

Tom,
My 4-year old son had open heart surgery at the (then) University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital when he was 9 weeks old. In each of the past three months, he’s been having procedures at the U of MN Masonic Children’s Hospital in preparation for his next surgery in early 2017. We were surprised (and delighted) to see your organization handing out teddy bears in November. In fact, he was able to receive one. He got such a kick out of getting a teddy bear. He was having a rough day and the bear lifted his spirits! It’s been a valuable member of our family ever since.

Thank you to you and your organization for the joy you bring to the children who receive a teddy bear from you. I pray for continued success and blessings to you and your organization. Happy New Year!
Regards,
Troy Finnigan
Dear Tom,
“I wanted to wish you and others at Teddy Bear Hugs U Organization Happy Holidays and the best throughout 2017.”
“I also wanted to thank you for your generosity of time and talents in making it possible for patients on both (University of Minnesota) MHealth Campuses to receive plush Teddy Bears this year! It truly does bring smiles to old and young alike.”
“Thank you so much for keeping both Adult and Pediatric Patients being cared for at our Hospitals in your thoughts.”
Truly,

Ann Shelp
Patient & Families Support Services
M Health
University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital

Teddy Bears Bring Smiles at Children’s Hospital

On Thursday, November 14, over 500 teddy bears were distributed to the inspirational kids at Amplatzer Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis.

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The cuddly bears distributed by 26 Teddy Bear Hugs U volunteers brought smiles and a few tears. For the third year running, volunteers went from room to room with the hopes of renewing the spirits of young patients and their families.

Teddyslide

Special thanks to Hellman Worldwide for providing teddy bear transportation services.

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The volunteers learned again this year that teddy bears are the universal “feel good” gift for persons of all ages.

Teddy Bears Hugs Golf Tourney Rocks

The 2nd Annual Teddy Bear Hugs U Golf Tournament was a rousing success!

Held on Saturday, July 27 at Manitou Ridge Golf Course in White Bear Lake, the event raised over $39,000 in prizes and donations. Over 70 companies and individuals served as sponsors or donated to the Teddy Bear Hugs U cause.

Special thanks to the 24 volunteers who gave of their time to make sure all the golfers left smiling.

Contact us if you’re interested in donating or participating in next year’s event.

Thanks to all who participated and your support for the Teddy Bear Hugs U mission.

 

Teddy Bear Hugs U is now Credit Card Friendly

Great News!  We just made doing business with us a little easier…Teddy Bear Hugs U is now Credit Card Friendly!

You can make donations and/or pay for the Golf Event online by clicking on the Donation Button. Either use your personal PayPal Account or use one of the Credit Cards pictured.  For a Donation, simply type in the amount and go from there.  For the Golf Event, determine the amount you need to pay- $100.00 per golfer- type it in the blank, and process the transaction.  If you wish to be a Hole Sponsor, enter $50.00.  Then, be sure to send your sponsor/registration form with the names of the golfers in your group, and the name of the Hole Sponsor for the signage.

If you wish to register then pay for the Golf Event on July 27th, we will process your credit card on site at that time.  Just be sure to send us your registration form with the names of your golfers.

Golf, Raffle, and Silent Auction Event Update

Major Raffle Prizes…Southwest Airlines– (2) Round Trip Tickets good for Air Travel anywhere in the Southwest System…Voyager Village– Golf Adventure for (4).

Don’t miss out!  Register for the Golf Event today.  The deadline to register is Friday, July 19th.

Teddy Bear Hugs U on KARE 11

Teddy Bear Hugs U will be featured on Coffee with Care (Channel 11) at 5:45 am and 6:15 am on Tuesday, July 16th.  

May 3, 2013

Teddy Bear Hugs U distributed over (2,000) Teddy Bears to the Patients in the University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital, and the University of Minnesota Medical Center. Thank you to all our Volunteers and Supporters.

November 5, 2012

NEWS RELEASE…November 5, 2012…”Dear Applicant, We are please to inform you that upon review of your application for tax exempt status, we have determined that you are exempt from Federal Income Tax under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to you are deductible under Section 170 of the Code. You are also qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers, or gifts under Section 2055, 2106, or 2522 of the Code.” This ruling is effective May 2, 2012, and applies to Employer Identifification Number: 45-5103317.

The letter was was from the United States Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service.

This is great news for Teddy Bear Hugs U. Many companies that wanted to donate and/or sponsor our golf, raffle, and silent auction event had to hold off until we secured Tax Exempt status. We will be sending out updating information concerning donations and gifts to Teddy Bear Hugs U. Thank you.

October 8th, 2012

Teddy Bear Hugs U is pleased to announce: Teddy Bear Day, 2012 will be held Wednesday, November 7th, starting at 10:00 AM. Teams of Volunteers will distribute our Teddy Bears to the patients in the Amplatz Children’s Hospital, plus the University of Minnesota Medical Center. We will be handing out (700) Teddy Bears this year. We would like to thank all the Volunteers, Donors, and participants in the Teddy Bear Golf, Raffle, and Silent Auction. With your help and support, Teddy Bear 2012 will be a huge success.