Fifth grade students at Stedwick Elementary School have collected books and stuffed animals to give to children being treated at Children’s Hospital. The idea behind the annual Books and Bears project is to give the gift of knowledge (a book) and a friend to share it with (a bear).

Students will present more that 1,000 new books, 35 teddy bears, and a check for nearly $1,900 to Doctor Bear (Washington Children's Hospital mascot) and representatives from Children's Hospital. The presentation will take place on Thursday, March 30, at 2:00 p.m. at Stedwick Elementary School.

“The best part of this project was that everyone got something out of it. My students were anxious to learn and do their best work and the kids at Children’s Hospital know that they are not forgotten,” says project founder and Stedwick teacher Denise Fitzgibbons.

Fitzgibbons incorporated student lessons on writing persuasive letters into the project. Her students wrote letters to local businesses seeking their support for Books and Bears.