'Project Teddy' bringing smiles to the faces of sick children
Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) - Project Teddy is a non-profit organization that brings Build-A-Bear workshops to children in the hospital.
It's the brainchild of Susie Monahan, Mrs. Nevada 2010.
12-year old Guadalupe Torres, who's at Sunrise Hospital for kidney problems, was happy when Monahan came to visit her.
"I was really surprised, because we don't usually have that every day," she said after building a bear named Snowball.
Monahan lost a friend to leukemia, so she started Project Teddy in his honor. She wanted to help others who were stuck in the hospital for long stretches of time.
"My daughter's favorite thing is Build-a-Bear. I thought what a great thing to bring it to them, since they have to stay in a sterile environment."
In the beginning, Monahan was not just donating her time. She was buying supplies out of her own pocket.
"When I see the smiles on the children's faces and their parents, it doesn't matter about the money."
Now Project Teddy has been made an official non-profit organization, and Monahan is fundraising so she can expand.
Torres is happy about that.
"I think it's a very good idea," she says, "so the kids that are here and sad, they get some hope in them."
Project Teddy will be holding a bowling fundraiser on May 15 at Sunset Station. Click here for more information.
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