Operation Teddy Bear
Operation Teddy Bear® is our volunteer-powered literacy program that provides an educational boost through a kind gift - more than 4,000 schoolbags filled with books, educational materials and wellness tools, along with a lesson in kindness, compassion, volunteering and identifying emotions - to the most underserved first-graders in the South Bay, Harbor and Long Beach areas each year. The program also provides volunteers with an opportunity to help and inspire these children first-hand by preparing items, packing and delivering the schoolbags, and interacting with the students in the classrooms. Click here to see videos of Operation Teddy Bear in action.
How Operation Teddy Bear Helps | Keeping Up with the Needs of the Students
How You Can Help | Our Generous Sponsors | Operation Teddy Bear Volunteers
The Need for Educational Support
An average of 83% of students in the school districts we serve live at or below the poverty line, making them eligible for the Free and Reduced Price Meals. 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. This can have dramatic negative effects on school performance, behavior, well-being and future academic success, creating special needs in education, literacy, self-esteem and social-emotional wellness.
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Special teddy bear instructions with volunteers from the Port of LA |
How You Can Help
Make a Monetary Donation
Operation Teddy Bear® is funded entirely by donations from individuals, corporations and foundations. You can make an immediate impact on these students through a monetary donation. (It costs approximately $50 to provide one schoolbag to a first grade student.)
Click here to donate and put Operation Teddy Bear in the notes section
Sponsor a School
Companies and organizations can adopt an entire school as an Operation Teddy Bear Sponsor. Click here for more information.

Volunteer
There are a variety of ways that community members help with Operation Teddy Bear. These opportunities typically take place between August and December.
If you would like to be added to our Operation Teddy Bear Volunteer Interest List, please complete this form, and we will contact you when opportunities become available.
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Please note: Due to the program's popularity, program sponsors receive priority for all volunteer opportunities.
For more information on ways you can help, contact us at info@volcenter.org or (310) 212-5009.
We are also grateful to the members of our Affinity Group for their support of the Operation Teddy Bear program. Click here to learn more.
Operation Teddy Bear is made possible thanks to the support our generous sponsors:
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Operation Teddy Bear® is a registered trademark of the Volunteer Center South Bay-Harbor-Long Beach.