Encouraging Selflessness in a Down Economy

Online community hopes to inspire people to give up their holiday gifts to help 1,000 South African AIDS orphans.

Atlanta, GA (Vocus) November 18, 2008 -- While sitting in front of his computer in St. Simons Island, GA, B.J. Elliott read a blog post by Maureen Forbes about her desire to make 100 handmade teddy bears and cookies for children impacted by AIDS in Wilderness, South Africa. Forbes, who uses a solar panel to communicate with friends and family online from her Wilderness home, only had enough fabric to make 20 bears. Elliott offered to help her raise enough money to make 1,000 teddy bears. Word spread on the online community where they met, the 29-Day Giving Challenge (www.29Gifts.org), and a group of 29Gifts.org members decided to launch Operation Teddy Bear Care (www.teddybearcare.org).

Operation Teddy Bear Care Logo

Every child needs a teddy bear to cuddle…especially little ones who don’t have a mother's love. These children have many needs, and I feel they all need a cuddly toy that they know is their very own. We've also recently added basic grocery packs to two of our packages

"These are challenging economic times for me and many others," said co-founder Elliott. "But I believe that it's important for us to help others, even if we have to dig a little deeper to do so."

For the month of December, the Operation Teddy Bear Care team is encouraging people to give up their holiday gifts, and ask family and friends to purchase teddy bears and basic food packages for South African children whose lives have been impacted by AIDS.

"These children are being orphaned or left vulnerable by the thousands due to the AIDS epidemic. Many suffer from malnutrition and starvation," said Elliott.

The teddy bear and basic food packs, priced between $10-$30 USD, can be purchased through the Operation Teddy Bear Care Web site at www.teddybearcare.org. All of the items are purchased and delivered within South Africa by local Operation Teddy Bear Care team members who volunteer their time. It will cost $5,000 to help 1,000 children this holiday season.

"Every child needs a teddy bear to cuddle…especially little ones who don’t have a mother's love. These children have many needs, and I feel they all need a cuddly toy that they know is their very own. We've also recently added basic grocery packs to two of our packages," said Forbes, who co-founded Operation Teddy Bear Care.

Mbali Creazzo, an AIDS educator and member of the Teddy Bear Care team who has traveled to South Africa several times, says, "These kids are used to barely getting basics. I witnessed orphans on the street playing with old tires and beat up footballs with no air. Many do not even get one meal every day. We hope to bring them a little comfort in their world of scarcity."

Learn more about Operation Teddy Bear Care at www.teddybearcare.org. Donation packages can be purchased through the Web site.

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