Christmas 2001 Teddy Bear Drive Wrap-up

Well, it's over, and the Rough Riders have a great deal to be proud about. Over 11,000 bears and stuffed animals, plus 8,000 toys were donated this December, and with a lot of effort by a great many members, almost all of it found a home with a sick or needy child.  We did 16 Teddy Bear Runs in the space of three weeks, giving out 3250 teddy bears and heavens knows how many cases of beads.  We also donated 3500 toys and stuffed animals to the Suncoast Clinics, and 5400 toys and stuffed animals to Good Samaritan Missions.  Add to this list: 700 stuffed animals to Metropolitan Ministries; 300 bears to the Salvation Army; 225 bears to Villa Madonna; 400 toys, bears, and stuffed animals to Divine Providence; 120 bears to the Domestic Violence section at the Courthouse; and 2 van loads of toys and 1 van load of bears to Joshua House. And in January we will be distributing 2000 more bears and stuffed animals to The Spring and Metropolitan Ministries for their use this year. We will also be sending 600 stuffed animals to a mission in Guatemala this spring that cares for orphaned and abandoned children.

The Rough Riders also came to the aid of the Marines at Toys for Tots.  This was hard, and at times, thankless work. But it had to be done, and our members came through with colors flying. In return, half of the stuffed animals and bears that we received came from the Marines, in addition to one van load of toys that went to Joshua House when it looked like the children would have nothing for Christmas.

A project like this could never have succeeded without the over whelming support of the members. And although the look in a child's eyes when they receive a bear and beads from us is thanks enough, I want to mention here those members who gave so much to make this happen.  (Whenever you have so many events occurring with so many individuals in such a short period of time, the participation of some will fail to be mentioned.  Blame it on my being a terrible secretary; if you were overlooked, contact me and I will add you to the list).

First and foremost, thanks to our President, Bill Iler, the Past Presidents, the Executive Board, and the Board for their enthusiastic support of the Teddy Bear Drive. Nothing could have been done without that support.

A special thank you goes to: The "Big Daddy", Col. Bob Densmore, whose vision began the Christmas Drive 3 years ago and whose passion for it has carried it forward; to our own "Hatless Wonder", John Winter, who, with News Channel 8, plastered the name of the Rough Riders all over the Bay Area; and to "Big Mark", Mark Bose, who made sure that all the time sensitive information on the TBRs got to the members almost the moment that I sent the information to him.

A personal thanks goes to the "Can Do" guys: Brent Wessel, Marty Mantei, Jim Mangione, Buz Hilferty, Joe Rossiter, Jr., and Mike Edenfield.  Whenever something had to be done, I always knew that one of them "can do it". They each spent many, often thankless hours behind the scenes making this Drive happen. Without these six members, the Drive, and all the great goodwill received from the community, would not have happened.  Thank you, guys.

A rousing "Bully! Bully!" to the core group of volunteers that seemed to be everywhere doing everything. These members are the heart and soul of the Drive: Col. Bob Jolly; Col. Dave Klassen; Col. Norm Palumbo; Col. Bill Rose; Art Watkins; Bonnie Stewart; Jason Woody; Curt Allen; Mo Fonte; George Hammond; Dan Ulrich; David Voykin; Rick Cox; Jim Wilson; Maritza Jaeger; Ron Ponton; Sherie Trindel; Jerry Carter; Rodney Kohler; Phil Saladino; Bill Deen; Bob Pate; Frank Carson; Bill Black; Spencer Sommer; Ron Belson; Tony Ekonomou; John Redding; and William Nehls. Well Done!

We also had invaluable help from our spouses and kids: Meredith Hammond; Lynne Conlan; Dianne Buck; Kim Wessel; Nancy Bose; Sandy, Jasmine, and Cali Cox; Liz Hilferty; Jo Pate; LaVada Jolly; Polly Wilson; Chris Mantei; Julie Ketterer; Peggie and Isabella Sherry; and Darla Boone (Ron Ponton's daughter).

So give yourselves a hearty pat on the back! TR himself would have been proud of what the present day Rough Riders have done.

Thanks, one and all. And here's to a greater Drive next year!