Annual Teddy Bear Picnic for charity returns to Strathmore

Strathmore's annual Teddy Bear Picnic will be returning this Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Kinsmen Park.

Sponsored by Debbie Mitzner of Re/Max Landan Real Estate, she and event coordinator Melissa Langmaid are excited to bring the family fun event bigger and better than ever. With six life-size teddy bears, treats like bear paws and a mini donut stand, a live DJ, prizes, and more, there will be plenty for families to enjoy.

"This year I'm really excited because we also have set up a teddy bear hospital where you can bring in your well-loved teddy bears that maybe need a little bit of TLC (tender loving care) and fixing up. For a donation to the Wheatland Wheatland Area Hospice Society, we have some volunteers that will help restuff and sew up and fix up your well-loved teddy bears," Langmaid said.

Langmaid added you can also expect other new additions like the Strathmore Cornhole Club setting up some games for everyone to play.

The picnic is free to attend, but Langmaid asks that you bring a donation for the Wheatland County Foodbank if possible, as the goal behind the picnic is to help our community's charities like the foodbank and hospice society. Foodbank donations are an annual staple of the picnic, but each year they choose a different charity and the hospice society will be benefitting from the picnic this year.

"There are a lot of really deserving groups in Strathmore and it's always really hard to pick one because I wish I could choose them all. But this year we did go with the hospice society to support their efforts in getting a hospice here in Strathmore and the support that would give to us, our seniors, and their family."

Explaining the hospice society is in "a critical time," Langmaid says any donations they can muster up as the society prepares to build a new lodge and hospice in Strathmore will be a huge help.

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