By Heidi Robitaille

A Teddy Bear Drive is being held until Monday, Dec. 12 for children in both Marquette General Hospital and Bell Memorial Hospital in Ishpeming.

Stephanie Weber is the president of NMU’s Student Michigan Education Association and Student Council for Exceptional Children. The SMEA and the SCEC is in charge of the Teddy Bear Drive.

“It’s been an event that our group has done for several years now,” Weber said.

Stuffed animals for the children are being collected in boxes located in the School of Education office in Whitman Hall and the Student Service Center in the Hedgcock Building.

At 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 13, the stuffed animals will be picked up by members of the SMEA and SCEC and delivered to both hospitals.

“The children really enjoy it when they receive the stuffed animals,” Weber said. “It’s definitely worth it to see the smiles on their faces.”

SMEA and SCEC will divide into two groups. One group will deliver stuffed animals to pediatric patients at Marquette General Hospital.

The other group will distribute stuffed animals to Bell Memorial Hospital. For more information about the Teddy Bear Drive, email [email protected].

“It’s meaningful, especially around the holidays,” Weber said.