BC Liquor Distribution Branch and BC Emergency Health Services partner to share stuffed bears with children in need

BURNABY, B.C. – This winter, a portion of stuffed bears donated through BCLIQUOR (BCL) stores’ annual Share-a-Bear holiday campaign will be distributed to children across B.C. facing challenging moments. The bears will be given to these children as a result of a new partnership between the BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB), which operates BCL stores, and BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS), which provides out-of-hospital emergency health services and inter-facility patient transfer services throughout the province.

The Share-a-Bear campaign provides BCL customers with an opportunity to purchase a stuffed bear for themselves, with a twin bear then donated to a local charity. Under the partnership announced today, a portion of the bears donated by customers at select BCL stores this winter will be given to BCEHS to help ensure that children who encounter a paramedic crew – whether as patients themselves or as family members – can receive a moment of comfort and reassurance during a difficult time. The remaining bears will continue to be donated to local charities. 

“The comfort of a stuffed animal in a time of fear can make all the difference to a child, and I’m proud that so many British Columbians are helping to make that happen when they visit a BCL store,” says the Honourable Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture and Food, who is responsible for the LDB. “First responders provide so much care to people experiencing trauma and loss, and being able to give a child a teddy bear that helps calm and reassure them can be invaluable in helping them through a very scary time. I would like to thank our colleagues at BCEHS, the Provincial Health Services Authority, and the Ministry of Health for partnering with the LDB and BCLIQUOR stores on this wonderful initiative.” 

Since the first Share-a-Bear campaign in 1989, more than 700,000 stuffed bears have been donated to various community organizations. Today, the Share-a-Bear campaign is one of the social impact and environmental initiatives led by the LDB under its Multiply the Good program.  

“The LDB makes a positive difference to the province, not just through its financial contributions to support vital public services, but also by bringing together our customers, employees, and partners in support of our social impact and environmental initiatives,” said Blain Lawson, General Manager and CEO of the LDB. “Our partnership with BCEHS will see Share-a-Bears donated by BCL customers go to kids across the province when they need comfort the most. This demonstrates how we are able to multiply the good across our communities by working together.” 

This year’s Share-a-Bear campaign will run at all BCL stores from November 12 to December 31. During this time, the stuffed bears will be available for purchase for $19.95. A portion of the twin bears will be distributed to BCEHS. 

“Providing items like stuffed bears enables paramedics to help bring warmth and comfort to children during what can be a challenging experience,” says BCEHS Chief Ambulance Officer Leanne Heppell. “A stuffed bear won’t change the situation a child is in, but it can help them feel seen, safe, and supported during a frightening time.” 

For more information, visit https://www.bcldb.com/about/multiply-the-good. 

  
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Media contact 
BC Liquor Distribution Branch
Corporate Communications
Email: communications@bcldb.com