Retired AT&T employees are stepping up to help children cope with disaster through their Hug A Bear campaign. The handmade teddy bears are made by AT&T Retiree/Pioneer Club members in Nashville.

“We hope these bears help comfort children in horrific situations,” said Gary Buchanan, a member of the club. “Over the past 12 years, we have made more than 12,000 Hug A Bears in our community. We are so grateful for individuals and volunteers who help us to offer hope and relief to humanity in the face of disaster.”

“We are so glad to have these bears donated to our clients’ children who are facing the hardship that disaster can cause,” said Joel Sullivan, Regional Executive for the American Red Cross of the Tennessee Region and Nashville chapter director. “We are sure they will brighten what could be a very dark day.”

The group plans on presenting the bears to members of the Disaster Program Services of the Nashville Chapter of the American Red Cross at AT&T Tower on Thursday, Oct. 3 at 10 a.m. at the Winter Garden Meeting Room. The address is 333 3rd Ave N. in Nashville.