Teddy Bears Benefitting the Kids

The Naples (Florida) Teddy Bear Museum has been closed for several years, but it's spirit still lives on and now will be helping the children in Florida. An auction of the collectible teddy bears will benefit the new YMCA Gaynor Child Development center at the former site. The collection showcases teddy bear artists and manufacturers from around the world with a high concentration on contemporary bears.

From The YMCA of the Palms:
The Teddy Bear Museum, started by Mrs. Frances Pew Hayes, was founded after she received a gift from her grandson, David. Mrs. Hayes had never had a teddy bear when she was growing up and the gift was a delight. From that point on, everyone gave Mrs. Hayes a teddy bear for the holidays and for her birthday, or any time they saw a bear they knew she would love. Everyone knew that a bear would warm Mrs. Hayes heart. The collection eventually grew so much that she had to build a home for the bears. That is when the Naples Teddy Bear Museum was born. Her love of the bears, her passion for sharing and her generous nature inspired her and those around her. Jay and Mary Black and Sandra Palon, friends of the Museum, decided after the museum closed to donate the bears to the YMCA Gaynor Child Development Center. The goal is to find them loving homes while supporting a new children’s center. Everyone involved in the museum is happy to know that it will soon be a place of learning for children in the community.

View the auctions on eBay, using search term Naples Teddy Bear Museum in isoldit.fl0121 storefront.