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Quick Facts:
Springfield
When Jennifer Elswick joined Mercy in 2001 and started helping plan the annual Teddy Bear Rally, it quickly became one of her favorite community events. For more than 20 years, Mercy and Dickerson Park Zoo co-hosted the event, which was a fun and interactive way for kids—and their teddy bears—to experience the zoo while also picking up health and safety tips from Mercy team members who patched up bruises, tears and minor injuries to the cherished bears. After pausing the event for several years, Mercy and Dickerson Park Zoo have brought the Teddy Bear Rally back to life this year. It will take place on May 3 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and all visitors who bring a stuffed animal will get half off entrance at the zoo (no other discounts or coupons apply).
“This event was always a huge draw for kids, and it was so much fun to participate in,” Elswick said. “I even brought my own kids when they were young, and it was just a joy to watch all these kiddos wander around the zoo with their teddy bears while our team taught them about everything from the importance of helmets to hand hygiene.”
Elswick isn’t alone in her love of the Teddy Bear Rally. In 2006, more than 4,000 kids and their favorite teddy bears headed to Dickerson Park Zoo for the event. Now that the rally is back, the zoo and Mercy are ready to welcome kids and their favorite stuffed animals.
"We are so excited to team up with Mercy to bring back the Teddy Bear Rally,” said Joey Powell, PR/marketing and events director at Dickerson Park Zoo. “Events are great opportunities to welcome more guests to the zoo, and partnering with Mercy on the Teddy Bear Rally is the perfect event to showcase the amazing way Mercy cares for our community and DPZ cares for animals."
Sticking with Teddy Bear Rally tradition, Mercy’s Child Life team will host a teddy bear clinic where kids can become doctors to give their stuffed animals a much needed check up and fix any injuries. Several other departments from Mercy will join zoo team members at booths set up around the zoo where visitors can learn about healthcare needs of both humans and animals. The Mercy Kids ambulance will also be on site for kids who love to explore the vehicles used by first responders.
Between bandaging up their stuffed animals, checking out all the critters at the zoo and learning how to maintain their health, kids will have plenty of fun at the return of the Teddy Bear Rally.
