Aug 20, 2014
In 2010, Albert Management President & CEO Lori Albert introduced an idea for the company to give back to the Coachella Valley community during the holiday season - a unique toy drive featuring teddy bears. Lori suggested the company purchase 100 teddy bears, invite customers, business partners, employees, friends and family to dress up the bears, outfit them with new toys, and then find a deserving charity to benefit from the effort. Employees loved the idea so much, they agreed to have the event in lieu of a company holiday party. Everyone understood the success of the small business in a troubled economy warranted an unprecedented and unique effort to give back to the community.
An annual event since 2010, Bear Affair participants have generously donated over $40,000 in new toys, books, bicycles, exercise equipment, electronics and clothing to local charities who service the needs of children in the Coachella Valley. Response to the Bear Affair program has been overwhelming, and Albert Management intends to carry on this new company tradition in lieu of a holiday party for many years to come.