Anonymous
Source: Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation
Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation was the fortunate benefiting charity of ACE Hardware’s Round-up Campaign, where $10,101 was raised in just over three weeks by ACE Hardware shoppers to support local kids with cancer.
Customers with do-it-yourself goals ranging from gardening to construction were asked to “round-up” their purchase in order to support families of children who have cancer. ACE Hardware employees were passionate about the cause and the success of the Round-Up Campaign was attributed largely in part to their goodwill toward educating costumers about the hardships that families face when their child is battling cancer.
Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation’s development associate, Kirsten Stuart, oriented each of the employees about Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation’s mission, specifically who they served and why it’s important to support our local community. She said about working with ACE Hardware, “The employees showed genuine concern for our efforts. Many of them knew families who have been supported by us. They asked thoughtful questions and enthusiastically participated in this fundraising effort. I commend them for making this happen”.
ACE Hardware Owner and President, Gary Simpson, said, “It is our mission to give back to the community, especially to those in dire need such as the kids and their families who are dealing with the challenges of childhood cancer.”
“It takes the support of the entire community to help care for a child with cancer,” said Lindsey Leonard, executive director of Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation. “Many of our families are taking their child to and from intensive treatments for years. The children who are battling this disease need their parents by their bedside, sometimes around the clock. Consequently, parents must reduce or quit their jobs to care for their sick child. The financial burden and emotional challenges can be enormous.” It was a great day to be handed a check representing nearly 300 donations from ACE Hardware costumers. Leonard contends, “We project we will be supporting a record 165 kids this year. The demand for our service is greater than ever before. If you are a business that would like to help support us, such as ACE Hardware did, please contact us. We would be truly honored to work with you.”
Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation is celebrating their 15th year anniversary this year. They are a non-profit organization providing financial, educational and emotional support to families of children with cancer living in Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo counties. The organization projects they will support a record 165 kids in 2017. Services are provided to families that have a child diagnosed with cancer up to age 18 and continue until they reach 21 years of age. To learn more about how you can get involved with helping children with cancer, or to make a donation, visit www.teddybearcancerfoundation.org or call (805) 962-7466.
