The front lawn of Sydney Adventist Hospital (the San) was the scene of a delightful surprise on May 10, 2023, as teddy bears and their human companions gathered in large numbers for the annual Teddy Bears’ Picnic.

After three years of COVID-related interruptions, more than 700 participants—moms, dads, babies, toddlers, and grandparents—enjoyed picnicking together again. Teddy bears, in all shapes and sizes, were the charming guests of honor.

The event offered the opportunity for returning San families to interact with new families of San babies,while catching up with the hospital’s obstetricians, midwives, pediatricians, and women’s health staff. For maternity staff and doctors, the Teddy Bears’ Picnic is the highlight of the year—getting to see the babies they delivered and how much they’ve grown and developed. The San, boasting a history of delivering babies for more than a century, delivers an annual average of about 2,000 new babies.

There were many food options, games, and activities. The San Bear mascot enthusiastically gave out bear hugs and posed for photos with the newest parents and babies.

Face painting, play equipment, a photobooth, gift bags bursting with goodies, and a performance by children’s entertainers The Beanies ensured that all attendees had a memorable time.

Adventist Media’s Mums At The Table was also at the event, promoting their mission of creating a supportive community for mothers.

“The mums were really interested to hear about our in-person parenting groups in their local area,” said Melody Tan, project leader for Mums At The Table. “These groups offer fun activities for the kids, but more importantly, connection and community for their primary caregiver—be they mums, dads, or grandparents. We even have a group that meets weekly at the Fox Valley Seventh-day Adventist Community Church, a few hundred meters down the road from where they gave birth to their child.”

The original version of this story was posted on the Adventist Record website.