Sometimes it doesn’t take a lot to make a difference in someone’s life, to ease pain or dry tears. Sometimes it’s as simple as a teddy bear in the arms of a distraught child.
To Judy Gibson, that simple teddy bear was a symbol of love, comfort and hope. To that end, Judy Gibson earned her title as ‘Peterborough’s Teddy Bear Lady,’ and remained the driving force behind the Peterborough Teddies organization. Along with other dedicated volunteer members of Peterborough Teddies, Judy distributed teddy bears to local hospitals, nursing homes, funeral homes, Cameron House shelters and Crossroads, as well as organizations such as the Alzheimer Society and Five Counties’ Children’s Centre. Thanks to Peterborough Teddies, Peterborough police cars and ambulances now come fully equipped with teddy bears.
As of 2001, the Peterborough Teddies had distributed over 20,000 bears; that’s over 20,000 people of all ages who received the gift of love, reassurance and a warm friend to hug in times of need.