During lunch on the Friday before Valentine’s Day, a table was set outside of the North Commons filled with adorable teddy bears holding candy bouquets and messages for sale.
Historically for Valentine’s Day, Amnesty International sold candy grams, but this year, Red Cross Club joined with the idea of a teddy bear fundraiser. During club meetings, members of Red Cross Club assembled many teddy bears and fulfilled preorders in preparation for the fundraiser.
As expected, people lined up at the stand to purchase their teddy bear as announcers gifted the bears to recipients in the lunch room. The fundraiser was a success, as Red Cross Club President Michelle Lee admitted, “There were a few bumps in the road… but I would say that it was great to see people get excited about helping out at the stand and standing in line to get their cute valentines.”
All of the money raised went to UNIDOS, a Madison-based domestic violence nonprofit organization focused on Latino and marginalized communities. Spreading love was crucial this Valentine’s Day for both Middleton High School students and victims of domestic violence, and with teddy bears, good emotions become amplified so much more.
