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Volunteers are the heart of The Teddy Bear Affair
bu Becky Fong
May 21, 1998; Canadian FundRaiser
Everybody loves a teddy bear. Since their humble beginnings, the stuffed little creatures have only increased in popularity through the decades. It's hard to resist a teddy bear, and that's what the Children's Aid Foundation counts on for its largest annual fundraiser. Teddy bears are the theme of the organization's Teddy Bear Affair. Now in its 11th year, the upscale black tie event boasts 800 supporters for a night of dining, dancing, entertainment and auctions - all in the name of raising substantial funds for a popular children's cause. "When we first started holding this event, we knew that it would be successful … but we had absolutely no idea that it would do this well and after 11 years, we have established a committed group of volunteers, sponsors and attendees who look forward to the night every year," says Sheilagh Johnson, executive director of the Children's Aid Foundation. And the organizers of this event, held every November, have worked hard to keep bears front-and-centre throughout the whole evening.
But why bears? "Bears are associated with children, and that's what we're all about. People can really identify with that connection," explains Johnson. "We have bears everywhere that night, and it makes for a very whimsical atmosphere that we try to carry throughout the evening. We really try to immerse our guests in the mood of the event."
Fresh themes each year
Every year, the organizers choose a different theme, which keeps the event fresh and new for people who go year after year. "We have done a circus theme, an underwater theme, and our last event was a medieval theme which we incorporated from the start to finish," says Nora Glass, chair of the Steering Committee for the Teddy Bear Affair. The collector bears, which were auctioned off, included The Lady of Shallot, The Court Jester, Merlin the Magician and Friar Tuck. In keeping with the theme, of course, the bears were dressed in elaborate costumes from the medieval era.
The event, which is held in a hotel in downtown Toronto, nets about $500,000 for the foundation. And much of that can be attributed to the success of the organizers in securing sponsorships. "We have to start planning this early on, especially when you are working with business," says Glass. "But because the event is so well-received, we've found new corporate sponsors through people coming as guests who want to sponsor next year's fundraiser. We are inundated by calls of support for the next year right after the event is held. Impressing guests is a sure-fire way to win over new sponsors."
Glass says that many business partners are eager to contribute to children's causes. Kevin Benson, president of Canadian Airlines, says the company is a major sponsor for the Teddy Bear Affair "because we believe strongly in the works of the Children's Aid Foundation. It is an honour for us to extend our support to the thousands of disadvantaged children that are served by the Foundation's child abuse prevention programs."
Evening of fun for a serious cause
One of the reasons the event stands out from other fundraisers is that organizers make sure the night is one of fun - a good approach when you are raising funds for something as serious and sobering as child abuse prevention. "Children's Aid Foundation is always at the top of our list," says Susan Storey, vice-president of CIBC. "The Teddy Bear Affair is a whimsical evening of fun and fundraising for a very serious cause. We have been major patrons of this event for many years and intend to be part of it for many to come." And that continued and substantial support from the corporate sector has helped this event offer some spectacular prizes for the auctions.
One of the reasons this event is so effective in raising money for the foundation is that unlike hospital lotteries, which also offer expensive prizes, all the items that are auctioned off at both the live and silent auctions are donated. "We feel that because we are trying to raise funds for the foundation, we should not spend money purchasing prizes, but should put our time and effort into getting them donated from people and companies who support our cause," explains Johnson. And the event is certainly well supported by the corporate community … with partners such as Canadian Airlines, CIBC Wood Gundy, Amex Canada Inc., and Canada Trust.
Sponsors donated everything from airfare for exotic trips to design and printing of the programs. And some of the prizes donated are one-of-a-kind. Silent auction items include a date to play touch football with Pinball Clemens and the Toronto Argonauts. But it is the exotic trips that come with a bear to match the trip that generate really competitive bidding. Some of the "trip" bears include Blarney bear dressed in an Irish sweater smoking a pipe, which comes with two business class tickets to Ireland and accommodations. The Ming Dynasty Bear came with two business class tickets to Beijing and a 14-day tour of China complete with accommodations. The retail value of these trips to exotic locales range from $6,000 to $25,000.
Over 300 volunteers
Organizing such a large event takes a mammoth group of dedicated people - in this case more than 300 volunteers to look after everything from making the bears and designing their outfits to soliciting corporate sponsorships and securing spectacular prizes. "I was approached by the Foundation ten years ago and started out designing the bear costumes, but I was drawn in more and more every year because child abuse prevention is an issue that's close to my heart," explains Cheryl De Ville, chairman of the teddy bear costume designer committee.
Volunteers are more than happy to keep coming back: "Volunteers come back year after year and dedicate their time and expertise because they believe in the cause," says Glass. She also emphasizes that because volunteers tend to attend many events, they are essential in getting feedback to improve next year's Affair. "Volunteers are the heart of this event, and since this is so well-known, people are happy to get involved on many different levels … which only adds to its success," says De Ville.
For those who can't make it to the lavish affair, there's another great way to contribute to the Foundation - by purchasing a $20-calendar filled with pictures of the collector bears in costume which are auctioned off at the event. "All the costs associated with the calendar were donated, as well, so it was a good way for us both to raise more money and reach people who can't attend the fundraiser," says Johnson. And a bonus included with the calendars were raffle tickets entitling the winner to two business class tickets to Rome, courtesy of Canadian Airlines.
The 1998 Teddy Bear Affair will be held on November 14. The theme is Teddy's Pacific Paradise, and the volunteers are already hard at work ensuring the evening's success.
For more information, call Sheilagh Johnson, 416-924-4646.