Feb 3, 2015
Albert Management is pleased to announce results of the fifth annual Bear Affair, a unique holiday toy drive to benefit a local children's charity. In lieu of a traditional company holiday party, Albert Management purchased 120 teddy bears and called on business partners, customers, employees, friends and family to help dress the bears and outfit them with new toys to donate to a local charity. Nearly $15,000 in new toys was donated to Variety - the Children's Charity of the Desert as a result of the effort.
"Our employees, customers and business partners all understand the responsibility of giving back to the community," said Lori Albert, President & CEO of Albert Management. "By joining together, we can make a significant difference for the children and families served by Variety."
Response to the call for help was overwhelming with all of the bears checked out to eagerly awaiting participants in the first two weeks of the program. Bears were dressed for the charity as Santa's helpers, fly fishermen, characters from Disney's blockbuster hit Frozen and many other creative characters.
The response and excitement generated by the unique toy drive carried over to a Breakfast with the Bears Party for all those who participated at the Renaissance Indian Wells Resort & Spa on Saturday, December 13. All 120 dressed bears were on display at the party and prizes were awarded. Cardinal Ambrose won in the Best Dressed category for her Sledding Bears, Bridgette Guralnick took home the Most Creative award for the White Christmas Drive In, and Vantage Point Construction swept the category for Bear Extraordinaire with their Fly Fisher Bears.
Over 35 local businesses participated in the effort including banks, attorneys, landscape maintenance companies, homeowner associations, construction and remodel contractors, asphalt companies, security service providers, insurance agents, pest control companies, realtors, CPA's and even personal trainers.
Corporate sponsors of the 2014 Bear Affair include e-works media, inc., Fiore Racobs & Powers, Guralnick & Gilliland, LLP, Horizon Lighting, LaBarre/Oksnee Insurance, Pacific Western Bank, Prendiville Insurance Agency, Securitas, Sunshine Landscape, Universal Protection Service, Vantage Point Construction and Western Pacific Roofing.
Variety the Children's Charity of the Desert is a 501 (c) 3 organization which is dedicated to promoting and protecting the health and well-being of underprivileged and special needs children in the Coachella Valley. All programs and funds benefit local children and families. Variety the Children's Charity has been known for its international influence since its creation in 1928.
Since 1987, Variety has donated over forty 12-passenger Ford vans to Angel View, Boys & Girls Clubs and Family YMCA of the Desert. The vans provide transportation for disadvantaged children to and from school and sports programs and for children undergoing cancer treatment at Loma Linda University Medical Center.
Over 5,000 bikes have been presented to Coachella Valley children, including specially adapted mobility bikes for kids with mental and physical disabilities.
Locally, their office is located at:
Variety the Children's Charity of the Desert – Tent 66
74-040 Hwy 111, Suite L-231
Palm Desert, CA 92260
For more information about Variety programs or events, please email variety@varietyofthedesert.org or call 760-773-9800, or visit their website at http://www.varietyofthedesert.org.