The Peninsula High School (PHS) Key Club was challenged with a goal of 500 teddy bears donated to send to children affected by the war in Ukraine. Halfway through the school year the club has collected over 1,000 bears, which they will start to ship this week overseas. 

Key Club advisor Spencer Abersold approached the club, which focuses on leadership and community service, with the goal of 500 bears donated. There are over 1,000 bears donated and a few thousands in monetary donations from community members and local groups to cover the cost of shipping. The club is working with the Voices of the Children Foundations, based in Kyiv, which provides psychological help to children throughout Ukraine.

On Tuesday, Feb. 7, students gathered all of the bears in Carolyn Gutmann’s classroom, also a Key Club Advisor, and spent volunteer time after school tying ribbons with messages of support written in Ukrainian to the bears. Then they packed the bears into boxes to prepare for their travels overseas. 

“We’ve done a lot of good here. You’ve made the world a better place and somebody is going to receive this gift and know we care,” Abersold told the students over a giant pile of bears. 

“I just think it’s a great thing our community can get together and collect so many bears,” Key Club member Alec D. said. “I'm really proud and grateful that Key Club could do that.” 

Check out some photos from the day.