Arthur Zanin Dittich, age 3 years and 11 months, likes to have fun with his toys. And since Christmas last year, a teddy bear made of jeans has become one of his favorites. It was made by volunteers from the Central Adventist Church of Mafra, in the northern region of Santa Catarina, Brazil.

According to Arthur's mother, Glauciane Zanin, the gift began to be part of the family routine. "He sleeps with the toy every day. We use the teddy bear as a partnership at home: the teddy bear goes to sleep, the teddy bear wants to study, the teddy bear wants to play, so the teddy bear goes where we are. And I remember that when we received him, Arthur did not give him to anyone," says the mother.

The bears are so well made that many people think they are made in some specialized factory, but that's not quite the case. They are from the talented hands of volunteers, and little by little, the fabrics, lines, fibers, and little eyes take shape. Additionally, there is an important detail: In all the bears, there is a QR code that directs the new owners to the TV Novo Tempo website.

Involvement of Women

Celeani da Silva, creator of the Ursinho Solidário (“Solidarity Teddy Bear”) project, explains that the toys are made by approximately 20 volunteers from the church and the community. "Then I thought, 'Alone, I will make [a] few bears, and my desire was to make many.' Then I thought, 'I will invite the sisters of the church to be part of this project'.' And when I told them, they all embraced the cause," she says.

The bears are made from denim fabrics and other items donated by the community and a partner company. "We announced it on a social network, and people started calling and donating jeans that they no longer wore, that were damaged, and from each pair of pants, you can make a bear. And we received a lot of donations. The fiber filling we received from a company," details Celeani.

Contribution to Child Development

In addition to bringing fun to children, the purpose of the Ursinho Solidário project is to assist in the treatment and recovery of children with a physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory disability.

For this reason, the volunteers donated teddy bears to all the children served by the Association of Parents and Friends of Exceptional Children (APAE) of Mafra, an entity where little Arthur studies. Two years ago, he was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

"In early stimulation within APAE [of] Mafra, we work with all areas of child development, and the teddy bear represents the emotional and affective part that often [children] have blocks. They are children who need to be worked on in this area so that other areas and other learning can be developed," explains Ledi Fátima Cenci, pedagogical coordinator of APAE.

Soon, the toys will also be sent to Erastinho Hospital in Curitiba, Paraná. This health institution specializes in oncopediatrics and also offers several other medical specialties.

Recognition from Those who Receive

Eliana de Fátima Paszcuk Scheuer, director of APAE de Mafra, is grateful for the work and dedication of the church volunteers. "For the institution, the donations were very welcome. We receive with open arms because sometimes, there are very needy students that the only gift they have was won here, and they loved it," she explains.

Arthur's mother also thanked the group of volunteers. "‘Gratitude’ is the word that expresses all their commitment. This donation of time, love, affection with which they made this toy. This is a symbol that will be eternally remembered by the children," Glauciane says with conviction.

The original version of this story was posted on the South American Division Portuguese-language news site.