Teddy Bear Drive To Help Needy Tots

The ‘barnyard’ was full last year at Windward Mall’s center court, where Prevent Child Abuse Hawaii attempted to break the Guinness World Record for ‘largest gathering of plush toys.’ They’ll try again this year, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Called the Teddy Bear Round-Up, the event also aims to bring comfort to many of Hawaii’s abused and neglected children. Photo from Aileen Deese.

By PAIGE TAKEYA

Forget the lions and tigers: All that Prevent Child Abuse Hawaii needs is bears – stuffed bears, that is. The 17th annual Teddy Bear Round-Up and Family Resource Fair at Windward Mall will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, collecting new or gently used teddy bears and other stuffed animals for keiki.

While trying to amass at least 7,000 bears, PCAH also will have activities and parenting information, live local entertainment by Island Storm, Po from Kung Fu Panda, Elmo and Pikachu. Also, the first 500 families to bring a stuffed animal will receive a free gift.

One goal is to beat the 6,540-bear Guinness World Record for “largest gathering of plush toys” set in 2012 by Rex Dogshelter Foundation in Hungary. After that, the donated bears will go on to comfort children in need.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the Kaneohe drive is sponsored by PCAH, Child Abuse Prevention Planning Council, state Department of Health and Foster Realty. Volunteers from Aloha Pono Lions Club, Roosevelt Leos of District 50 Hawaii Lions and others will man the teddy-bear pile at the mall.

For more information, call 951-0200.