Who doesn’t love to snuggle with a plush, cuddly, and adorable little teddy bear, queries Lucy Plonis, a senior store manager for the Willowbrook liquor store.
She and the rest of the team, as well as staff at the liquor stores in Fort Langley and Walnut Grove, have already helped provide more than 500 – so far – of the furry little creatures to both seniors and children alike through this year’s Share-A-Bear program.
In Langley, the bears are being donated to Langley Community Services, Langley Children’s Society, Langley Hospice’s child and youth bereavement program, the Langley Lions Club, the Langley RCMP’s community policing office, Fort Langley’s Lions Club, as well as Magnolia Gardens.
Share-A-Bear a province-wide program that started 27 years ago, and since then has provided more than 625,000 teddy bears to non-profit organizations throughout B.C.
The bears are being sold at all 198 BC liquor stores – including the three in Langley – for the cost of $12.50.
For that price, a customer can choose one teddy bear to take home while its twin is donated to a local shelter, hospital, or other worthwhile charity to brighten the holiday season for a child – or in Langley’s case that generosity also extends to local seniors.
“Small gestures can go a long way,” said the minister responsible, Coralee Oakes.
“Each bear donated through the BC Liquor Stores is an opportunity to create a moment of joy and comfort a for a child over the holidays. British Columbians always show their generosity when called upon, and I know this drive will spread the holiday spirit throughout the province.”
It’s expected that another 25,000 will be sold, throughout B.C., this holiday season.
Sale of the bears continue until the end of December, or until the stores sell out – whichever comes first.
So, customers still have a chance to donate a bear between Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
To learn more, people can go online.
CAPTION: Senior store manager Lucy Plonis (centre - blue) and fellow 201st Street store staff Sunny Brar, Leanne Watson, Debbie Kemp, Holly Goring, Sue Rapp, and Colleen Sullivan are among those pushing sales of the plush Share-A-Bears.