'Bears for Love' Annual Gifts for Putnam Hospital Patients

The Greater Mahopac-Carmel Chamber of Commerce shared some holiday cheer with Putnam Hospital Center.

Chamber members Lisa Kass and Lillian Melchner delivered more than 100 stuffed bears and assorted animals on Tuesday, continuing their longstanding tradition of spreading kindness to patients in the hospital during the holiday season.

“It changes tears to smiles,” Melchner said. “If a little something like this helps, then we are happy.”

The chamber started the “Bears for Love” initiative years ago, collecting new, plush toys during their annual holiday party.

Anita Minella, the executive director of the Putnam Hospital Center Foundation, said the stuffed animals are given to pediatric patients, new moms, children visiting siblings or loved ones, as well as anyone who could use the comfort.

“We are grateful to the Greater Mahopac-Carmel Chamber of Commerce who is always responsive to the support of Putnam Hospital Center and the community,” Minella said.

Photo caption: From left: Greater Mahopac-Carmel Chamber of Commerce member Lillian Melchner, PHC Foundation Executive Director Anita Minella and chamber member Lisa Kass stand with a bounty of bears and other stuffed animals the chamber gifted to the hospital for distribution to its patients/contributed