Spread Joy, Donate Blood, and Share Smiles: Uniting for a Holiday of Giving

It's that wonderful time of year when Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center rekindles the spirit of giving through our cherished Holiday Hugs tradition. This year, we are excited to announce our continued partnership with BEAR (BE A Resource) for a heartwarming holiday toy drive initiative from November 1st to December 31st, 2023.

Holiday Hugs, a beloved annual event at Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center, invites our generous donors to write heartwarming messages for patients spending their holidays in hospitals. Our dedicated team of volunteers will then attach these messages to cuddly teddy bears, which are distributed to area hospitals throughout the holiday season.

In 2023, we are proud to join forces again with BEAR's BEARing Gifts holiday program. This commendable effort touches the lives of over 23,000 children annually. This program will provide brand-new holiday gifts to children under the care of CPS, offering a glimmer of joy to those who may not experience the festive spirit of the holiday season.

“BEAR is honored to continue its partnership with Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center this holiday season,” said Executive Director, Tammy Hetmaniak at BEAR Houston. “In 2022, with the help of organizations like Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center, BEAR was able to provide holiday cheer to over 23,000 at-risk and CPS-involved children in our community. During this time of year, our goal is to allow children in traumatic living circumstances to feel the joy of the holidays, and we couldn’t do it without Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center and our community,” Hetmaniak said.

We welcome our community to come together and be part of this heartwarming initiative from November 1st to December 31st by making a meaningful impact in three ways:

1. The Gift of Saving: Donate blood at any of Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center's 17 donor centers or mobile blood drives.

2. The Gift of Joy: Donate a toy for a child under the care of CPS, helping bring smiles and joy during the holiday season.

3. The Gift of Hope: Write an uplifting message to patients spending their holidays in the hospital, spreading warmth and encouragement.

All Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center locations will have well-wish cards for patients in hospitals during the holiday season. BEAR Houston containers to collect toys for children in need will be available at our 17 Neighborhood Donor Centers, making it easy for anyone in our community to join us in spreading Christmas cheer.

For more details or to find a convenient location for your donation, please visit giveblood.org/holidayhugs/.

Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center and BEAR are excited to partner on this heartfelt mission once again, and we look forward to the community's generous support in making this holiday season brighter for those in need.

Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center is a nonprofit organization accredited by the Food and Drug Administration and the sole provider of blood and blood components 24/7 to more than 170 hospitals and health care facilities in a 26-county Texas Gulf Coast region.

BEAR is the only 501(c)(3) organization working with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and Harris County Resources for Children and Adults that offers unique programs - that provide not only the basic needs of children recently uprooted but also supportive services that provide comfort, dignity, and celebration of successes that propel the child toward a successful future - for abused and neglected children.