Teddy Bear Day 2011 in Glendale AZ

The 7th Annual Teddy Bear Day in Historic Downtown Glendale was a great success. Double digit temperatures and clear skies welcomed more than 700 visitors to the downtown district.

Nearly 30 shops and restaurants participated in the day with activities, discounts and giveaways. To commemorate the tenth anniversary of 9/11, the event included two important components; AZ Search Dogs and the bear drive to benefit the Glendale Fire Department Trauma Teddy Program.

Visitors started the day at the Glendale Visitor Center where they took a spin on the prize wheel and picked up a map, coupons and gift bag ( the 1^st 500 visitors). And while at the center, they could contribute a new or gently hugged teddy bear.

The community responded with record breaking donations of stuffed bears. More than 1600 bears and plush animals were donated, triple the number from last year. "We were all humbled by the outpouring of community support and all the special stories and memories folks shared with us while donating their bears" said Lorraine Pino, Glendale CVB Manager. "Children donated their favorite bears and many families donated their entire collections of bears. "Teddy Bear Day continues to be our most heartwarming event and this year falling on the weekend of the 9/11 anniversary, proved to be an opportunity for the community to continue to find healing and give back to others through donations," said Pino.

Pino continues "Appreciation is extended to the event chairperson, Valerie Burner, owner of Bears and More. Valerie's continued dedication and enthusiasm are a wonderful asset to the downtown. Plans are already underway for the 2012 event."

There were many contests, activities and sales throughout the Historic Glendale area( see large list at end of article), Karen Landes of Apple Tree Antiquary tell us about her highly successful "Count the Cookie Bears In the Jar" contest

Ed Sharpe - Glendale Daily Planet
Karen Landes of Apple Tree Antiquary says "Count The Bears!"

Another neat addition to this yearly celebration of bears was the Bears and More sponsorship of Arizona Search Dogs.

Arizona Search Dogs took on an obstacle course on the lawn in front of Bears & More and AZ Dolls and Gifts. Arizona Search Dogs is a nonprofit organization that trains, certifies, and develops Canine Search Specialist teams. These teams are mobilized with Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Task Forces to assist state and local jurisdictions in urban and wilderness search and rescue. Some of our team members have been deployed to the World Trade Center, The Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, flooding in Houston, Texas, Dallas Fort Worth tornado, New Orleans for Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Rita, Hurricane Gustav, Hurricane Ike in the Gulf Coast, and local searches for Valley residents.

Each canine and handler team must be certified through FEMA in search and rescue. The handler's certification includes written and verbal testing regarding search-and-rescue strategies briefing skills and canine handling skills. The dog's certification includes proper command control, overcome innate fears of tunnels and wobbly surfaces under a handler's guidance. Certification for each Canine Search Specialist Team (dog and handler) requires the canine and handler to pass a FEMA sanctioned evaluation process administered with USAR evaluators. There are less than 200 such certified teams throughout the United States.

Only one in about 200 dogs will successfully complete their training and become certified. Some dogs are puppies when they start, while others start training when they are one to two years old.

Each dog will study and practice for over 2,000 hours before an evaluation is made and possibly graduation. Due to the high level of physical activity these animal athletes, retirement comes when they are between eight and ten years old.

Bears and More helps sponsor the Arizona Rescue Dogs that visitors got to enjoy Photos by Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet

The Bears and More Silent Auction

Again this for this years Teddy Bear Day Event Bears and More auction off several wonderful Gund pieces. All monies raised went to Arizona Search Dogs. This will help them take care of the dogs that will help us all in some way.

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Glendale Daily Planet no. 0676

Eric, Monic and Javier (son) Lopez enter the coloring contest at Papa Ed's Ice Cream as Javier (father) Lopez looks on .

Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 4515.

Colorful teddy bears are on display outside Papa Ed's Ice Cream.

Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 4552.

Britney Orellana, Linda Whitney, owner; Heather Garcia and Morayia King scooped up ice cream at Papa Ed's Saturday for the 7th Annual Teddy Bear Day. This was Morayia's first time working behind the service counter.

Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 4576.

One of the five black Labrador Retrievers search dogs takes a turn on the plank challenge.

Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 4642.

Where is the missing person? Here?

Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 4586.

Ben, a 3 1/2 year old, Black Labrador Retriever finds "missing person" during the Search and Rescue demonstrations Saturday as part of the Teddy Bear Day events. Peter Benzing played the part of the "missing person" during this exercise. Part of Ben's fun is to pull of the stuffed toy held by Peter Benzing.

Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 483x

Shaw Kelly and Trooper, Dana Medlin and Hoss, Adam Skiver and Desoto, and Robyn Krumwiede and Bear, Ben (center first row).

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no.4882.

Glendale Firefighter Will Burner, Wilson and Emily Dickerman and Ben Cordova, a third year cadet with the Glendale Fire Department.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 477xa

Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 489x.

Dana Medlin, Hoss, Sage Allen, Brie and Ryeley Kaminski with Sparkle the bear.

Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 4957.

Becky Shady hands Marcia Unser a gift bag at the Glendale Visitors and Convention Bureau. Marcia Unser worked with Sherrie Hawke, a supporter of the Thomas J. Pappas School for Homeless Children. Sherrie Hawke collected teddy bears and passed away several years ago. Marcia thought it was fitting that this memorial bear for Sherrie Hawke be donated to the Glendale Fire Department's Trauma Teddy Program.

Glendale Convention and Visitors Bureau Staff and Volunteers sorting and counting bear donations. Jessica Alexander, Glendale CVB Visitor Information Specialist, Sue Berntsen, Glendale Visitor Center Volunteer, Lorraine Pino, Glendale CVB Manager, Becky Shady, Glendale Visitor Center Volunteer , Bud Zomok, Glendale Shoe Company who volunteered that day as there were so many bears to sort!

7^th Annual Teddy Bear Day: Discounts, Offers, Activities

Old Towne District

A Mad Hatter’s Antiques 5734 W. Glendale Ave.

Activity: Any purchase made at A Mad Hatter’s enters you in a drawing to win:

1^st Prize: $30 gift card to Build-A-Bear Workshop, $5 Cub Cash coupons and a Coloring Book w/ $5 off coupon all from Arrowhead Mall. Total Value $45

2^nd prize: BearemyÒ – The Official Build-A-Bear Workshop Mascot

Antique Haven 5805 W. Glendale Ave.

Offer: 20% off

Apple Tree 5811 W. Glendale Ave.

Offer: Beary Big Sale – 20-60% off!
Activity: Guess the number of bears contest for gift certificates. Free refreshments.

Astrology Store 5731 W. Glendale Ave.

Activity: Enter to Win a Teddy Bear
Offer: $15 readings and massages, $20 aura photo's, and free Herkimer diamond crystals (see store for details).

Bitz-ee Mama’s 7023 N. 58^th Ave.

Offer: Deep fried ice cream covered with “strawbeary’s” for $2.50 or try the Strawbeary Waffle Combo

Cerreta Candy Company
5345 W. Glendale Ave.
Offer: Make and Take Chocolate Teddy Bears - $7.50 each. With the purchase of a chocolate teddy bear, receive a one-day 25% discount in the store on additional purchases (excluding the initial teddy bear purchase).

Glass Creations

7011 N. 58^th Ave.

Offer: Free gift with purchase

Glendale Shoe Company

5750 W. Glendale Ave.

Activity: Enter to Win a Teddy Bear Z
Discount: 40% off, select, in-stock shoes

Pink House Boutique

7009 N. 58^th Ave.

Offer: 10% off any single clothing or accessory item, 20% off ironwood furniture
Activity: FREE Make and Take: Make your own bracelet with multi-colored Teddy Bear Pony Beads

Pizza Old Roma 5740 W. Glendale Ave.

Offer: 1) One Free Topping on any Medium or Large pie order 2) Free bear-shaped Silly Bandz with drink purchase. Special Menu item for the day: Straw-BEARY lemonade

The Storm Past and Present 5825 W. Glendale Ave.

Activity: Enter to Win a Teddy Bear

*Activities and Offers Subject to Change

Catlin Court District

Arizona Dolls & Gifts 7150 N. 58^th Drive

Offer: Raffle for a set of bear boxes
Activity: Coloring pages for children and AZ Search Dogs demonstrations

AZ Biker Unlimited 5707 W. Myrtle Ave.
Offer: 10% off when you spend $25 or more

Bears and More 7146 N. 58^th Drive

Activity: AZ Search Dogs Demonstrations and raffle items to benefit AZ Search Dogs

Cameo Candles, Bath & Gifts 7149 N. 58^th Drive
Activity: Bee Toss for lollipops or 2 oz. Honey Candles. Guess the Teddy Grahams for Teddy Bear basket prize.

Clock Makers 7158 N. 57^th Drive
Offer: Free bookmarks, coffee and brownies

Coffee & Tea Express 5835 W. Palmaire Ave.

Activity: Face painting and balloon artist
Offer: Specials on Beary White tea and Beary Berry Salad

Country Maiden 7146 N. 58^th Ave.

Offer: $4 Birthday Teddy Bear with minimum $10 purchase

Creative Quest 7146 N. 57^th Drive
Activity: Make and Take Card - $2

Delfina’s Salon 5742 W. Palmaire

Activity: Enter to Win a Teddy Bear
Offer: “Cranbeary” Facial for $50 (reg. $65)-refreshing exfoliate and hydrating mask. Cannot be used as a half price facial item.

Glendale Flowers 7145 N. 58^th Drive

Activity: Free gift with purchase of raffle ticket. Buy a raffle ticket to win a 54” bear for $1, with all proceeds going to the Glendale Fire Education Fund.

Custom Teddy Bear Embroidery: Bring your favorite t-shirt or cotton item to be embroidered – cost is $12 per item with $2 going to AZ Search Dogs charities.

Healthy Baby-Happy Earth 7149 N. 57^th Drive
Activity: Enter to Win a Teddy Bear

OOHHH I Like That Stamp 5707 W. Myrtle Ave.

Offer: Free $6.95 stamp with $25 purchase
Activity: Make and take teddy bear cards - $2

Open Door Too 7142 N. 58^th Drive
Activity: Glendale Fire Truck on display from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and meet Glendale Firefighters

Papa Ed’s Ice Cream 7146-B N. 58^th Ave.

Offer: Special flavor for today – “Bluebeary”

Activity: "Kids" Teddy Bear Coloring Contest! Age groups: 0-4 yr olds,5-8 yr olds, & 9-12 yr olds. Grand prize in each age group is (1) free single scoop cone each month for 12 months.

Shelley’s Desserts 5845 W. Palmaire Ave.

Activity: Teddy Bear cookie decorating only $2
Offer: Specials on Bear Claws and Club Claws

Spicery in Our 1895 Home 7141 N. 59^th Ave.

Offer: Special dessert today – “Beary” delicious strawberry pie

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Last modified: August 31, 2015

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Send mail to dont-call-me-chief@glendaledailyplanet.com with questions or comments about this web site. Copyright © 2004-2009 Glendale Daily Planet Last modified: August 31, 2015

NEWS TIP HOTLINE Twitter us @GlendaleMedia

Send mail to dont-call-me-chief@glendaledailyplanet.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2004-2009 Glendale Daily Planet
Last modified: August 31, 2015