By James Bowler

Teddy Bears invade Parkland Ambulance office

Sep 17, 2013 | 5:05 PM

Parkland Ambulance was the happy recipient of a host of Teddy Bears today from the Army, Navy & Air Force Veterans (ANAVETS) in Prince Albert.

Close to 150 stuffed bears were donated by the ANAVETS for paramedics to provide to children who are being picked up or transported in Parkland Ambulances to help keep them calm and comfortable during their ride.

“We’re just so grateful that the ANAVETS have been able to do this for us,” said Lyle Karasiuk with Parkland Ambulance. “It’s just that ability for us as paramedics to have one more extra tool for us to comfort a sick or injured child, and bring those comforts of home that make them feel all that much better on their way to the hospital.”

Dave Fidler and Darlene Michel from the ANAVETS said it’s a good feeling to donate these bears knowing they’ll help children feel more comfortable during their ambulance ride.

“It’s great to do stuff like this for the kids,” said Fidler. “We’re very involved in the community with children. It’s just part of our way of giving back.”

SIGA

SIGA and Northern Lights Casino main sponsors of the 31st PAGC Fine Arts Festival

15h ago

Workplace incident

City of Prince Albert pleads guilty to workplace safety violation, handed fines

17h ago

Lighting it up

P.A.'s Zablocki leads Regina to victory on Day 4 at Esso Cup

Apr 24, 2024

Michel said she has a granddaughter who was given a bear during a situation that happened when she was younger.

“My granddaughter received a bear in a traumatic situation when she was eight,” said Michel. “She’s now 18, graduated Grade 12, and when she brought her grade proofs, she was holding her bear. It’s been special for her all these years.”

Karasiuk said that the ANAVETS donate quite a few bears to Parkland Ambulance on an annual basis.

“[They] will donate to us anywhere between 750 and 1,000 bears a year,” said Karasiuk. “We’re very much appreciative of those efforts that we can do that and give some joy and comfort to those sick and injured kids in the back of our ambulances.”

Karasiuk said these bears have proven to be very helpful for kids who are injured or sick and the families appreciate the effort to make them feel more comfortable.

jbowler@panow.com

On Twitter: @journalistjim