Teddy Bear Trees make shopping special

Teddy Bear Trees make shopping special

Published on November 04, 2024

Many of the 1,500 residents that Lakewood Project Shepherd serves during the holidays are kids-kids who could really use a toy for the holidays.

Since 1995, children from families enrolled in Project Shepherd have hung their holiday gift wishes in the form of paper bear ornaments on "Teddy Bear Trees" in the hopes of having them filled by an anonymous "Santa."

Teddy Bear Trees on display

Beginning Monday, Nov. 18, Teddy Bear Trees will be displayed at:

• The Recreation and Community Services counter in The Centre lobby.
• Near the reception desk at Lakewood City Hall.
• The Burns Community Center, 5510 Clark Ave.

How the program works

• You select an ornament with a child's name, age and wish (for a reasonably priced toy) and then shop for the gift that will fulfill that wish.
• Bring the unwrapped gift with the matching "ornament" to the donation box at Lakewood City Hall or the Burns Community Center during business hours prior to Monday, Dec. 2.
• All of the unwrapped gifts go to children registered through Project Shepherd, which is Lakewood's homegrown charity to assist local families in need.

More ways to help

• Support the virtual Canned Food and Toy Drive by sponsoring up to 35 cans of food for a holiday meal and/or a toy for a child.
• Visit Project Shepherd's gift registry on Amazon to buy a gift and have it sent directly to the program.
• Donate funds to Project Shepherd online.
• Send a check payable to Project Shepherd c/o Lakewood City Hall, 5050 Clark Ave., Lakewood, CA 90712, or put the check in an envelope addressed to Project Shepherd and drop it off in the utility payment box outside City Hall.

What is Project Shepherd?

Project Shepherd is operated by the Rotary Club of Lakewood and the City of Lakewood.

For more information:

Call 562-925-7512

Visit the Project Shepherd webpage

Tagged as:

• Volunteering