Bears in the Air toy drive at SBN a success for third year

The third annual Bears in the Air toy drive at South Bend International Airport came to a close Monday, and the teddy bears were collected at the airport.

SBN says they were able to collect over 1,000 stuffed animals during this year's collection period.

“Really makes a difference in a child's life. You can see it in their eyes and their faces--sometimes get a smile. Just that smile is worth all the month of effort it takes to get this done,” says Executive Director of South Bend International Airport Mike Daigle.

Airport employees made a few stops on Monday to deliver the bears to St. Joseph Regional Hospital, Memorial Hospital, and Lakeland Healthcare Center.

Event organizers say they would not have been able to make the donation happen without community contributions.