Goodwill is collecting new Teddy Bears for 12th Annual Festival of Trees

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Oct. 9, 2018 - PRLog -- New, stuffed teddy bears are needed to decorate the "Very Beary" tree as part of the 12th Annual Festival of Trees, a fundraiser for the Southwest Florida Goodwill Foundation.

The tree, comprised of hundreds of bears donated by the community, will be displayed from Nov. 27.- Dec. 2 during the festival at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center. Then the tree is donated and transported to the Golisano Children's Hospital in Fort Myers.

"Festival attendees light up when they see bears of all sizes and shapes on the tree," said Susan Hegarty, Goodwill's public relations manager. "Delivering the Very Beary tree to the hospital afterwards is heartwarming too, knowing the children's spirits will be lifted."

Donation boxes are located at the following businesses, including:

* Norris Furniture & Interiors locations in Fort Myers, Naples and Sanibel;

* Cascades at River Hall, Alva

* Goodwill's Boutique on First, in Fort Myers River District;

* Goodwill's Opportunity Center, 5100 Tice Street;

* Hampton Inn, Cape Coral

* Hotel Indigo, Fort Myers River District

* Zak's Jewelry in Cape Coral..

The deadline to donate is Nov. 21.  Cash donations to purchase bears are also accepted online at www.GoodwillTrees.com. Festival activities and sponsorship information can also be found on the website.

Last year's Festival of Trees raised $74,000 to support The Southwest Florida Goodwill Foundation, which provides long-term financial support to Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida programs and services for individuals with disabilities or disadvantages.

Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, Inc. is committed to serving people with disabilities and disadvantages by providing life-changing opportunities to achieve independence. Last year, Goodwill was able to assist more than 42,000 people across Southwest Florida. For more information about Goodwill visit http://www.goodwillswfl.org.