This year will be the 15th anniversary of Project Teddy Bear at Bank of American Fork. When the bank started the program in 2000, it collected 237 bears. Since then, more than 73,000 bears have been donated. 

Bank of American Fork is sponsoring the 15th annual Project Teddy Bear, a stuffed-animal drive that benefits at-risk children at the Utah Valley Family Support & Treatment Center, the Salt Lake Valley Family Support Center, the House of Hope and the Family Connection Center in Clearfield. 

These centers have the mission of preventing and treating child abuse through education, therapy and outreach. Crisis nurseries are available for children who have been abused, are in danger of being abused or are awaiting placement in a foster home. A soft teddy bear to hug during these times of trauma or loneliness is a great comfort to the children. At-risk children also undergo therapy sessions at the centers throughout the year. A teddy bear gives them something to hold during sessions, provides much-needed comfort and helps in the healing process. It may also be the only Christmas present a child receives.

Last year, Bank of American Fork employees, customers and community members collected a record 20,466 stuffed animals. This year’s goal is to surpass 20,000 stuffed animals, which will allow every child served at the four family-support centers to receive one.

“We are fortunate to have so many people who care in the communities we serve and thank them for their past participation. We are asking those in our communities to help Bank of American Fork meet its goal of collecting more than 20,000 teddy bears,” said Richard Beard, Bank of American Fork president and CEO. “Each bear you donate is critical, but each represents an at-risk child here in Utah. We want a teddy bear in the arms of every child who needs one.”

To donate to Project Teddy Bear, drop off a new or clean, gently-used stuffed animal to any of Bank of American Fork’s 14 locations throughout Salt Lake, Utah, Davis and Washington counties through Dec. 16.

The number of teddy bears collected by Bank of American Fork during Project Teddy Bear:

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