For the past 17 years, SAGE participants and area school children have collected more than 16,000 stuffed animals. This year again, they will be collecting and cleaning dozens of new and gently used teddy bears.

SAGE (Senior Additional Growth Experiences) is a day service of Goodwill Columbus and serves over 300 older adults with mental retardation and developmental disabilities. The seniors take great delight in sorting bears, adding ribbons and then delivering bears to young children at various agencies such as homeless shelters, women’s shelters, hospitals, day care centers, and Head Start programs.

In the holiday spirit of giving, nearly 1,000 teddy bears will be shared with children from
area agencies, such as CDC Headstart, St. Aloysius Daycare, Childhood League and Southside Learning Center.

SAGE participants will be collecting bears through December 19th. You may donate a fluffy friend at Goodwill Columbus at 1331 Edgehill Road in Grandview, or any of the following locations: Goodwill Columbus Thrift Store at 2100 Morse Rd.,
Goodwill Columbus Thrift Store at Hunter’s Ridge Shopping Center located at I-270 & S. Hamilton, Goodwill Columbus Thrift Store/Good Dollar $tore in Clintonville at 2768 N. High St., Goodwill Columbus Thrift Store in the Central Point Shopping Center at 635 Harrisburg Pike and SAGE Crosswoods at 625 Scherers Court in Worthington.

If you have any further questions, don't hesitate to call or email me at: Anne.Ransone@gwcols.com