Prevent Child Abuse Hawaii seeks 2,916 donated teddy bears

By Esme Infante Nii
'Ohana Editor

If you care, share a bear.

That's the message Prevent Child Abuse Hawaii is putting out as it launches its fourth annual Teddy Bear Roundup, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Ala Moana Center Stage. The public is asked to bring new or "gently used" teddy bears that will be distributed to family shelters, children's hospitals and other organizations that help families in crisis.

"Our goal is to collect 2,916 teddy bears, the same number (as that) of confirmed reports of child abuse in our Islands last year," said Chuck Braden, executive director. The nonprofit organization estimates more than 10 times that many children in Hawai'i each year are abused or neglected, but that most cases go unreported.

To entice people to donate, Ben Vegas, Imua and others will entertain, Winnie-the-Pooh and other costumed characters will collect the donated bears; and each donor will receive a special bookmark, a blue ribbon to promote child abuse prevention, child-safety information and parenting tips.

Call 951-0200 for more information.