First National’s Project Teddy Bear program committee is pleased to announce the 2023 holiday season drive collected nearly 400 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 in emergency and/or medical situations.
Prior to Christmas, donations were made to Marshfield Medical Center- Dickinson, Caring House and Caring House Child Advocacy Center, Dickinson County Salvation Army, Toys for Tots and Integrity Care EMS.
The January 12 donations included Michigan State Police, Iron Mountain Police and Fire Departments, as well as additional donations to the Caring House and Caring House Child Advocacy Center, Marshfield Medical Center- Dickinson and Integrity Care EMS.
“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 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 six years, Project Teddy Bear has donated nearly 2,500 new stuffed toys. The Project Teddy Bear initiative is part of First National’s ongoing dedication to supporting and strengthening our community.
(L-R, back row): Geno Basanese, Michigan State Police; Don Koerner, Integrity Care EMS; Adam Ray, Iron Mountain Police Department; Jeremy Hauswirth, Michigan State Police; Russ Kassin, First National Bank & Trust; Joe Rizzo, Marshfield Medical Center-Dickinson.
(L-R, front row): Lexi Roberge and Marcia Peterson, First National Bank & Trust; Molly Wahoviak, Caring House; Lisa Bosley, Jake Hogberg and Cole Grenier, First National Bank & Trust.