Bank of American Fork presented on Friday over 8,200 teddy bears and other stuffed animals to four family support centers in Salt Lake, Utah and Davis counties as part of the bank’s 13th annual Project Teddy Bear.

The stuffed animals were donated by customers and community members and will benefit children who have been abused, are at risk of being abused or have experienced other traumatic situations. Children will receive the stuffed animals as Christmas gifts or will use them in play therapy.

At a presentation that took place at the bank’s headquarters in American Fork Friday morning, President and CEO Richard Beard presented the bears to the Salt Lake County Family Support Center, the Utah Valley Family Support & Treatment Center, House of Hope and Family Connection Center in Layton.

The Spanish Fork High School Letterman’s Club, for the sixth straight year, headed up a bear collecting program and also enlisted Brockbank Elementary and Canyon Elementary in the effort. The schools alone collected 1,452 of the 1,777 bears collected in Spanish Fork.

Crescent Elementary School in Sandy, represented by parent council member Shana Davis and student, Keenan Davis, reported a drive of 606 stuffed animals. Keenan told the audience he was glad to share these stuffed animals with kids that don’t otherwise feel “good things” from other adults.

A story was shared about a Bank of American Fork customer from Pleasant Grove who gave his wife a stuffed animal every week. She recently passed away and he decided he would donate three large boxes of stuffed animals. “I’m just so glad they will make some children smile,” he said.

11 year old Abigail Krane and 13 year old Catja Buchanan from Girl Scout Troop 654 created a YouTube video to help them collect 505 stuffed animals.

“The way the community has been involved and gone the extra mile to donate teddy bears to children in need is gratifying,” said Beard. “They share with Bank of American Fork a commitment to local communities and to the greatest asset in those communities: the children. It is a wonderful outpouring of concern and love. Thank you to everyone who helped us collect over 8,200 stuffed animals this year. We desire these cuddly animals to get to all the children who will specially benefit from them.

The bears will be transported and delivered to each of the centers thanks to a generous donation of equipment and labor by Bailey’s Moving and Storage, which also donated a large number of stuffed animals.

About the Salt Lake County Family Support Center

Contact: Bonnie Peters, executive director, 801-955-9110, ext. 101, bonnie.peters@familysupportcenter.org

About the Utah Valley Family Support & Treatment Center

Contact: Joy O’Banion, executive director, 801-229-1181, jobanion@utahvalleyfamilysupport.org

About the House of Hope

Contact: Lisa Heaton, associate director, 801-487-3276 ext. 1205, lheaton@houseofhopeut.org

About the Family Connection Center

Contact Christa Monson, christamonson@hotmail.com

About Bank of American Fork

Bank of American Fork, a subsidiary of People’s Utah Bancorp, was established in 1913. With more than $920 million in assets, the bank is the largest community bank in Utah, operating 13 full-service branches across Salt Lake, Utah and Davis counties. Bank of American Fork is committed to safe and sound financial management for both customers and the company. More information about Bank of American Fork can be found on bankaf.com and blog.bankaf.com.

Danny Crivello can be reached at crivello@citizen.af or via text at 801-477-6397.