By Kathy Chouteau
Get ready to donate your teddy bears at the “Hug-a-Bear Holiday Dinner” Wednesday, Dec. 10 from 6-10 p.m. at Richmond’s Galileo Club.
Hosted by Richmond’s Santa Fe Neighborhood Council, the annual event collects bears from attendees to give to local children for comfort when caught within the throws of police and fire emergency crises. Attendees are typically encouraged to not only name their bears, but also give them a brief back story at the event.
According to past comments by Neighborhood Council member Linda Whitmore, “Children are sometimes caught up in traumatic events. Our first responders find them at life’s most difficult moments; the Hug-a-Bear offers comfort to these vulnerable young people.”
This year’s event will honor retiring Richmond Police Department Chief Bisa French, as the Neighborhood Council celebrates her 28 years of leadership, partnership and dedication to a mission of service.
The dinner is $50 per person or $400 for a table with wine. Dinner includes an entree choice of prime rib, chicken piccata or eggplant parmesan.
A no-host bar will be open from 6-7 p.m., dinner from 7-9 p.m. and mixing and dancing from 9-10 p.m.
A jolly Santa Claus has been known to collect the donated bears in a big sack. Neighborhood Council helper-elves pitch in to help make the evening go off without a hitch.
To purchase tickets, click here. Questions? Contact Linda Whitmore at (510) 459-4728. The Galileo Club is located at 371 South 23rd Street in Richmond.
