ALTON - Alton Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department is asking the community to donate new teddy bears and other comfort items through April 30, 2026, as part of its annual Teddy Bear Collection Drive, an effort aimed at helping the nearly 3,000 children who come through the department each year as patients or visitors.
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A visit to an emergency department can be stressful for anyone, but hospital staff say it can be especially frightening for children amid loud noises, unfamiliar equipment and worried loved ones.
“Coming to the emergency department with a child can be incredibly scary for families,” said Harlee Spencer, an RN and emergency staff educator. “Our unit is loud, busy, and full of unfamiliar faces. For a child, especially, it can feel overwhelming and intimidating.”
The drive supports the department’s use of comfort items such as teddy bears, stuffed animals and books to help ease fear and allow staff to quickly build trust. Any child who comes through the emergency department may receive a comfort item, whether the child is receiving care or accompanying a loved one, according to the hospital.
Children are often given a choice of items, which staff say can help them feel a sense of control during a stressful experience.
“Handing a child a comfort item sends a simple but powerful message: ‘I see you, and I care about you,’” Spencer said.
Staff also use teddy bears to explain procedures, including listening to the bear’s heart or placing a cast, as a way to help children understand what to expect, the hospital said.
The annual Teddy Bear Drive began in 2023 and has grown rapidly, according to the hospital. In its first year, the goal was to collect 50 teddy bears, but more than 600 items were donated. In 2024, approximately 3,600 items were collected, including stuffed animals, books, toys and blankets.
All donated items must be brand new with tags attached or in original packaging to meet infection control requirements, the hospital said. Items are inspected, organized and stored until needed.
Donations may be dropped off at the Alton Memorial Emergency Department through April 30. Requested items include new teddy bears, stuffed animals and other comfort items.
