First National Bank & Trust’s Project Teddy Bear program committee is pleased to announce the 2022 holiday season drive collected over 500 new stuffed toys for donation to local emergency responders, crisis centers, children’s organizations and medical facilities. Since Project Teddy Bear’s inception in 2017, donations have been collected each year from the annual Flivver Hockey Teddy Bear Toss event, followed by continued collecting throughout December. The program makes donations for both Christmastime use and again in January for the responders using the toys year-round.
Prior to Christmas, donations were made to the U.P. Foster Closet of Dickinson County, Marshfield Medical Center- Dickinson, Caring House, and Salvation Army Dickinson County.
The January donations included Michigan State Police, Iron Mountain Police and Fire Departments, Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office Victim Service’s Unit, Integrity Care EMS, as well as additional donations to the Caring House, U.P. Foster Closet of Dickinson County, and Marshfield Medical Center- Dickinson.
“Speaking to our local emergency responders and hearing their touching stories about the truly positive effects of giving a child a stuffed animal during an emergency situation reiterates why First National Bank & Trust created Project Teddy Bear,” said Matthew Lutz, First National Bank & Trust Chief Financial Officer. “That hit very close to home recently when I was in the Emergency Department with my son and saw his face light up when he was handed a stuffed animal.”
Over the last five years, Project Teddy Bear has donated over 2,000 new stuffed toys. The Project Teddy Bear initiative is part of First National Bank & Trust’s ongoing dedication to supporting and strengthening our community.
Top photo: (L-R): Barbara Cromell, Cole Grenier, Sheyenne Sullivan, First National Bank & Trust; Jaimee Rogers, with son Braxton, Marshfield Medical Center- Dickinson; Jake Hogberg, First National Bank & Trust.
Bottom Photo: (L-R, back row): Matthew Lutz, Cole Grenier, First National Bank & Trust; Sgt. Adam Ray, Iron Mountain Police Department; Jake Hogberg, First National Bank & Trust; Community Service Trooper Geno Basanese, Michigan State Police.
(L-R, front row): Vanessa Bal, Caring House; Barbara Cromell, First National Bank & Trust.