Operation Teddy Bear

Operation Teddy Bear is a volunteer-powered literacy program that provides schoolbags filled with books, educational supplies and wellness tools to the area's most underserved first grade students. The program provides volunteers with an opportunity to help and inspire these children first-hand, by packing and delivering the bags, as well as interacting with and reading to the students in their classrooms. Click here to see a video of Operation Teddy Bear in action.

How Operation Teddy Bear Helps | How You Can Help | Our Generous Sponsors | Operation Teddy Bear Volunteers-in-Action

The Need for Educational Support

School districts in both Los Angeles and Long Beach report an average of 70% of enrolled students live at or below the poverty line. This high percentage of children are eligible for the Free and Reduced Meal Program through Title One. While our Food For Kids program helps with the dietary needs, many of these students also arrive at school without adequate educational supplies to begin their day. These circumstances create special needs in the areas of education, literacy and self-esteem.

Operation Teddy Bear student with teddy bear

OTB Teacher with supplies

How Operation Teddy Bear Helps...

The Students

Operation Teddy Bear® addresses these needs by providing our signature schoolbags and supplies to these children. Each bag contains such items as reading and coloring books, a learning clock, a toothbrush, pencils, crayons, and of course, a teddy bear!

The Teachers

OTB Volunteer with Students The program also provides teachers with supplies, including items such as stickers, white board marker/eraser sets, pencils and glue sticks.

The Community

And that's not all. Our volunteers love taking the time to sit and read stories to the children, and share how volunteering is important in the community. Plus, the bags themselves are crafted by U.S. veterans in Carson through GreenVetsLA and their nonprofit vocational rehabilitation program, Vets Corps USA.

This multi-faceted approach sets the students up for success and everyone wins!

How You Can Help

Make a Monetary Donation

Operation Teddy Bear® is funded entirely by donations from individuals, corporations and foundations. Make an immediate impact on these students by donating toward the cost of a bag (each bag costs approximately $55).

Click here to donate and put Operation Teddy Bear in the notes section

Sponsor a School

Operation Teddy Bear packing Companies and organizations can adopt an entire school as an Operation Teddy Bear Sponsor.
Click here for more information.