WELLINGTON, FLA – Luxury senior living community Wellington Bay hosted its inaugural Teddy Bear Drive on Friday, Mar 20, 2026
Residents and staff collected teddy bears from March 1st through March 18th and gathered nearly 80 teddy bears to benefit the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Wellington Regional Medical Center.
The drive followed a special presentation held at the community on March 18th by guest speaker Annette Isaacs, who shared the moving life story of Margaret Steiff, the creator of the world-renowned Steiff teddy bear.
The spirit of giving was amplified by Wellington Bay resident Patty Raff. In celebration of her 80th birthday, Raff requested that her guests donate teddy bears in lieu of traditional birthday gifts.
“When my son Kenny was born, he weighed just three pounds and spent over a month in the NICU at Mount Sinai in New York City,” Raff said. “I have everything I want and this year, I wanted to do something to help, so I told all my friends to bring a teddy bear to my birthday party. One of my friends asked if he could just give me a check instead of a bear and I told him, ‘No bear, no food!’”
Thanks to Raff’s selfless gesture and the overwhelming participation of residents and employees, the community exceeded its donation goal and Raff plans on hosting the drive again next year.
Representatives from Wellington Bay visited Wellington Regional to deliver the donations. The bears were received by Kimberley Masterson, NICU Director, alongside siblings of NICU patients who were among the first to receive the cuddly toys.
“The two youngest brothers grabbed the two biggest bears,” Raff said with a laugh.
Through this initiative and the generosity of its residents, Wellington Bay continues to foster a culture of compassion and community connection. By turning a milestone birthday into a tangible gift for local families, the residents have ensured that the smallest patients at Wellington Regional Medical Center feel the embrace of a supportive community.
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Wellington Bay is a rental retirement community featuring luxury apartments and a place for seniors to enjoy life. With something for everyone, Wellington Bay offers independent living that supports a vibrant lifestyle for active aging and also provides assisted living support, respite care, and advanced, cutting-edge memory care at Lisbet Health Center, located onsite in Wellington, Florida. Named by Money Magazine as one of the “Best Places to Retire,” Wellington is known for its golf courses, thriving equestrian community, and lovely homes.
Wellington Bay and Lisbet Health Center is owned and operated by Liberty Senior Living, LLC, a Liberty Healthcare Management division specializing in senior living and retirement communities. To learn more about Wellington Bay, visit www.wellingtonbayfl.com.
To learn more about Liberty Senior Living and the communities they offer, please visit www.LibertySeniorLiving.com.
