C.O. bikers bring 100s of teddy bears to hospitals

Teddy bears and motorcyclists flooded the emergency room of St. Charles-Bend on Saturday.

And as a result, more than 1,000 children who visit the ERs in Central Oregon will have a new stuffed toy to help them through some rough times.?

It was the Central Oregon Chapter of American Bikers Aimed Toward Education (ABATE’s) 16th annual “Teddy Bear Run,” to deliver stuffed animals to our four regional hospitals to Central Oregon.

About 100 motorcyclists dropped off the bears at at local emergency rooms.

The toys go to sick children, as well as those visiting hospitalized relatives.

“We look forward to this every single year, because we have tons of these kids that come in,” said St. Charles Emergency Department Director Darin Durham. “They’re very scared, they’re worried about what’s going to happen to them.

“And then when we hand them one of these teddy bears that these groups bring in, it changes their whole attitude.”?

ABATE spokesman Bob Terrill said the delivery is special to the bikers, too.

“(It) just gives a warm feeling, knowing we’re helping kids in the hospitals,” Terrill said.

Durham said about 10,000 children come through the emergency departments on the High Desert each year.