DC Teddy Bear Drive!

Helping bring a hug to the kids of the Oklahoma City area!

When I heard the news about the tornado in Oklahoma, it really hit home for me. Even though I’m in DC, a good 1300 miles from the devastation, it brought back so many memories. I grew up in the Oklahoma City area – not far at all from Moore. My parents, daughter, and two grandchildren are still there.

Thankfully they were spared the worst of the damage – this time. Just a few years ago during a 2007 tornado, my parents’ lost their garage and a dog (temporarily thank goodness –she came back muddy and scratched up but glad to be home). It was on my birthday, but I’m sure they don’t blame me….

My 17 year old granddaughter started talking about what she could do to help even before the first rescuers got to the scene. There’s such a family spirit that blooms in times like this. Living in tornado alley, everyone pulls together after a storm. They understand that nothing but the random path of a tornado is determines whose home is standing and who has to start over. As someone who grew up with tornadoes as a fact of life, I really wanted to pull together with my fellow Oklahomans.

As publisher of Washington FAMILY Magazine, my job is to support local families so it was a natural extension for us to sponsor an outreach program that benefits the kids affected by the Oklahoma tornado victims. We have coordinated an effort to gather stuffed animals for the kids displaced by the storm. We are calling it DC Teddy Bear Drive.

Losing everything is unimaginable for an adult. We can’t conceive of how lost and confused the kids are. To have a Teddy to hold and to know folks as far as DC are thinking about them will make a real difference.

Washington FAMILY Magazine is working with many great partners (94.7 Fresh FM, 99.1 WNEW, Navy Federal) to get the word out about the Drive and many are serving as drop off locations. UPS has offered to collect teddy bears at their local stores – and ship them for FREE. We love the synergy that’s building to help the kids.


We know you want to help. Donating a Teddy Bear is a great way to talk to kids about the tragedy and help all of us feel less helpless. It’s a long distance warm hug….

We will be collecting the Teddy Bears at various locations in the area through Memorial Day. Click the link below for convenient drop off locations near you. Share the link with as many folks as you can. The more bears the better!

Washington FAMILY Magazine DC Teddy Bear Drive Drop off Locations

Be sure to check back often – we’ll be adding more locations for drop off. Donation collection ends at 6 p.m. on Memorial Day Monday, May 27.