ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Cumberland Trail Fire District and Trinity Health System are teaming up to launch their inaugural Teddy Bear Drive that runs now through Dec. 20.

Fire Chief Tim Hall said that the drive’s goal is to bring vital emotional support to children facing medical emergencies or hospital stays this holiday season.

Community members can donate new or gently used teddy bears to help bring reassurance to children during medical transport and throughout their hospital stay during the Christmas season.

The Teddy Bear Drive plans to be a meaningful way to strengthen community bonds and ensure that local children feel supported during difficult moments.

“We see firsthand how stressful medical emergencies can be for children,” Hall said. “A simple teddy bear can make a world of difference — it offers comfort, calms fear, and reminds them they’re not alone.”

Trinity Health System director of operations Jamie Betts added that he believes the teddy bear drive is a good gesture during the holiday season for children that may need health care throughout the holidays to help them have a calmer experience.

He added that the teddy bears will go to any child who has a medical emergency or medical need that goes to the St. Clairsville Neighborhood Hospital.

Betts said that, although it’s just for children who go to the Neighborhood Hospital, if the drive receives a plethora of donations, children at other Trinity Health System hospitals will be able to receive teddy bears as well.

“Right now we will be focusing on St. Clairsville because this is in conjunction with the Cumberland Trial Fire District. But if we do have several donations, we will also be giving them to our Steubenville and Denison locations,” he said.

To ensure residents are able to drop off the teddy bears, four drop off locations have been established.

Cumberland Trail Fire Department from every day from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and Monday through Friday at the St. Clairsville Municipal Building 9 a.m-4 p.m, Belmont County Courthouse 7 a.m-4 p.m, and St. Clairsville Recreation Center 8 a.m.-9 p.m.

“It’s an opportunity for us to give back. We’re very fortunate that we have continual support of our residents in St. Clairsville and Richland Township,” Hall said. “So anytime that we have an opportunity to give back to our residents, especially children that are in need, during the holidays. This is something small that we can do to make their holidays, hopefully a little better.”

He added that he encourages the community to be involved in the drive even if they are unable to afford to purchase a new teddy bear.

“We really appreciate the community’s support and thank them for thinking of us during the holiday season,” Hall said.

He added that for the second year in a row Cumberland Trail has partnered with Belmont Correctional Institute to have a “Santa box” located in front of the firehouse for children to place their letters to Santa.

“We are accepting letters until Dec. 18. If someone would like to drop off a letter, we’ll make sure that it’s delivered to the North Pole in a timely manner prior to Christmas Eve,” Hall said. “If they would like to leave a return address, we’ll make sure that those who drop off a letter get a letter in return from Santa.”

He added if anyone drops off a letter or teddy bear to be mindful and not block any emergency vehicles while dropping either off at the firehouse.