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A Redlands college student and his family continue a nine-year tradition of giving back by collecting teddy bears for children at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital — and here’s how to help reach this year’s goal of 600 bears.
A Redlands college student and his family continue a nine-year tradition of giving back by collecting teddy bears for children at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital — and here’s how to help reach this year’s goal of 600 bears.
This year marks the ninth year of Caden’s Teddy Bears for Kids Drive, benefiting children hospitalized over the holidays at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital (LLUCH).
To date, Henderson has raised more than $20,000 for the hospital and collected more than 1,800 teddy bears for patients spending Christmas in the hospital. It’s a reminder of how one family can make a difference.
Caden Henderson graduated from Redlands High School in 2023 and is currently studying at the University of Redlands. He uses his modest following from his sports broadcasting YouTube show, along with support from local businesses and the community, to host the drive each year.
It all began in August 2016, when 11-year-old Henderson was hospitalized at LLUCH for a minor stomach and GI issue. “School had just started and I was in there for three days,” he said of the start of sixth grade. “I had a bear with me who kind of served as an icebreaker and a comforting thing for what was three long days.” His teddy bear Shy became “Hospital Bear,” a symbol of overcoming hardship.
When December came around that year, Henderson’s family raised money for Wii gaming devices after noticing a shortage for young patients. “The year after, we started the bear drive,” he said.
Henderson’s mom, Jill Henderson, and grandparents, Bob and Mary Sheehan, have been major supporters from the beginning. “It’s definitely been a family effort. I always say ‘we’ instead of ‘I,’” he said.
“Even though it was just three days, it really made a big impact on me and my mom,” he said. “Knowing that there were kids who were in there for much more serious conditions than what I had.” He added that the kindness of LLUCH staff inspired them to give back. His GI issues have since been resolved.
The first year, they donated close to 300 teddy bears. Each year, donations have increased, and they hope to collect 600 bears this year. The goal is to provide a teddy bear to every child hospitalized during the holidays.
“It’s definitely something good that came out of something not so good,” Henderson said.
Two years ago, they partnered with CycleBar locations in Redlands and Rancho Cucamonga, hosting a large collection event. This year, for the first time, both locations are offering free ride coupons to anyone who donates a bear. “My grandpa goes there and works out there all the time,” he said.
Henderson’s orthodontist, Paulson Orthodontics, helped from the beginning. Nearly every year, a new business joins in support. “It shows just how strong the community is,” he said of Redlands.
They chose teddy bears specifically because that’s what Henderson had with him during his hospital stay. Additionally, “Post-COVID there are so many restrictions,” he said.
Donated teddy bears must be new with tags.
Local Redlands boutique Star Tulips partners with the family to offer two versions of packaged bears.
“Packaged provides that extra layer [of protection], so they can go to the highest level of sensitivity-rated kids that can’t risk anything,” he said. “So that’s what we prefer.”
“We hope the teddy bear serves as a memory of, you got through this and here is proof that something helped you make it out,” he said. “It warms my heart, and I am very proud that we’ve been able to do this and help out the kids.”
Henderson, now a junior at the University of Redlands, hopes to pursue a career in sports broadcasting and journalism. He has no plans to stop the teddy bear drive. “In some form we definitely want to keep it going,” he said.
The day after the final donation drop-off, the family meets with LLUCH staff and nurses to deliver the bears. “The nurses say that they are a big hit with the patients,” he said. “We always tell them, thank you for thanking us, but we really need to thank you because you do all the hard work.”
“This is part of the holiday season for us,” he said. “Everyone decorates their tree at Christmas; for me and my family, we kind of do this. It’s a tradition.” The family also hosts an annual teddy bear collection party at their Redlands home in late November, halfway through the drive.
“Even though it seems small and silly, I think it would have made an impact on younger me,” he said.
Nov. 17 – Dec. 14: Donate new and/or packaged teddy bears at:
More info on Instagram: @caden_center
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