Knit or Crochet a Teddy Bear for an Orphan

"Teddies for Tragedies" started in 1985 when a group of volunteer knitters sent a batch of teddy bears to orphaned Sudanese refugees who were suffering from tuberculosis. Commenting on the impact, a Sudanese doctor said: "The teddy bears did more good for many of the children than did their medicines." The teddies were such a success that more were requested. Soon after, teddies were sent to Peru, Uganda, Zambia, Jamaica, Armenia, Calcutta, Thailand, Romania, Croatia, Albania, Nepal . . . .

Teddies for Tragedies alleviates some of the stress felt by children when catastrophes occur. Imagine the sadness and confusion felt by a child who has just witnessed a disaster. His toys, school, home, and even family may no longer be around. The child may be shuttling from shelter to shelter, never quite knowing how long he will stay or who may be taking care of him next. A cheerful teddy bear can be a steady friend and a comfort object to a child without much left to love.

Just a ball of wool and needles and a few hours spent on a fun-to-make craft is all it takes to make a difference – offering hope to a child during the bleakest of times.

Knit or crochet as many teddies as you like. There is no deadline or minimum number. Pattern choices include:

• The Original Teddies for Tragedies' Knitting Pattern
• Teddies for Tragedies' Crochet Pattern

Teddy Faces: This link will take you to pictures of how teddy faces should look after the embroidery of the eyes and mouth.

If you can sew but do not know how to crochet or knit, consider making teddy bear bags. These bright, drawstring bags provide a beautiful “home” for the teddy bears to keep them safe and clean as children carry them.

Please forward completed teddies and bags (and any unneeded wool or stuffing) to:

Teddies for Tragedies
c/o Barb Drozdowich
PO Box 2128
Sumas, WA
98295, USA

(This address does not accept international packages.)

or

Teddies for Tragedies
c/o Mrs. Gisele M. Toth
18-B 3200 Dufferin Street, Suite #203
Toronto, Ontario
M6A 0A1, Canada

(This address accepts teddy bear packages from anywhere in the world.)

Before mailing, please consult the organization’s website for important instructions regarding packaging and labeling.

If you have questions or need more information, help is available directly from Teddies for Tragedies by filling out this handy online contact form.