Dr. Goodbear ready for a “beary” good time at the 35th Teddy Bears’ Picnic

Event by Children’s Hospital Foundation returns to Assiniboine Park thanks to sponsors like Humphrey Window and Door Systems

Winnipeg, MB (May 9, 2024) – Community leaders, volunteers and sponsors are helping a beloved family event return to our province. Teddy Bears’ Picnic presented by Humphrey Window and Door Systems will be at Assiniboine Park on Sunday, September 8, 2024  from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, with the event’s Teddy Bears’ Pancake Breakfast by IHOP beginning at 9:30 am.

“Humphrey Window & Door Systems is extremely proud to partner with Children’s Hospital Foundation as the work at HSC Children’s touches the lives of families all over this province including myself and many of our employees,” says Greg Bodnarchuk, President, Humphrey Windows & Door Systems.

“On behalf of everyone in our organization and our families, we are excited to present the 35^th annual Teddy Bears’ Picnic. My family has wonderful memories of the very first picnic, I look forward to making new ones with its return. I encourage everyone, young and old to come out and experience this treasured event.”

Teddy Bears’ Picnic is an exciting day of family fun that also provides kids with a developmentally appropriate understanding of what may occur in a hospital or research environment.

“The Teddy Bears’ Picnic has been a staple within the Winnipeg community for over 35 years and it is so exciting that this beloved event is returning to Assiniboine Park in September,” Scott McDonald, Chair, Teddy Bears’ Picnic.

“Providing education and exposure to children on important topics such as health and safety, while delivering it in a fun and approachable way, is why the Picnic has made such a positive impact over the years. Caregivers who once attended the event as children will now have the opportunity to bring their own families to share that same experience.”

Picnic will feature family favourite activity tents, like the Dr. Goodbear Clinic put on by frontline staff, where kids’ teddy bears are triaged and go through a variety of medical tests and treatments including MRIs, X-rays, casting; and the I Want to be a Scientist tent put on by Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba with experiments and engaging child-friendly activities.

“Teddy Bears’ Picnic allows health care teams to teach kids about what they may experience in a medical setting in a developmentally appropriate way, so they can feel comfortable in places like the hospital,” says Dr. Patricia Birk, Provincial Specialty Lead and Medical Director, Pediatrics & Child Health, HSC Children’s, Shared Health.

“We’re grateful to all the frontline staff who volunteer their time at Teddy Bears’ Picnic to support kids in our community, and for the many ways they care for children and families all year long.”

“The I Want to be a Scientist Tent promotes imagination through fun science-based activities and showcases how science impacts new discoveries in health care,” says Nichola Wigle, acting CEO, Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba. “Our team is excited to encourage kids to investigate and learn in this engaging environment.”

The 35^th annual Teddy Bears’ Picnic will also include:

• Main stage acts like follow-along yoga with South Studio
• Entertainers like LuLu and the TomCat , Nic Messner, Magician Mr. Ken, and
  KickitDance Studio
• Special character visits from Heather’s Pretty Parties
• Delicious offerings from local food trucks
• Kids’ activities like GellyBall and crafts
• So much more!

Teddy Bears’ Picnic is a Manitoba tradition started by a group of dedicated volunteers more than 35 years ago and was put on “paws” due to the worldwide pandemic, followed by high-volume RSV seasons. Teddy Bears’ Picnic relies on sponsors and hundreds of volunteers to host the event.

“Generous community leaders, supporters, volunteers and sponsors – like presenting sponsor Humphrey Window and Door Systems – have come together to make planning for  Teddy Bears’ Picnic possible and we’re so grateful,”  says Stefano Grande, President & CEO, Children’s Hospital Foundation.

“We know  kids and families make meaningful memories at this beloved community event and are so thrilled to be welcoming it back.”

The Foundation still needs more support to make Teddy Bears’ Picnic a success. To become a volunteer or sponsor at Teddy Bears Picnic visit goodbear.ca/TeddyBearsPicnic.

The Foundation is deeply grateful to all the dedicated supporters and sponsors who are integral to Picnic and to our community, including: