Association “Operation Teddy Bear” manages the largest Christmas campaign in Bulgaria for making unprivileged children and youth’s dreams come true. Twelve years ago, we started as a civic volunteer initiative, giving presents to 40 children from a single foster home. Today we are a public-benefit association that not only brings Christmas back to 8,000 beneficiaries, but also helps unprivileged talented young people to develop their skills and gives them a chance for a professional realization trough our mentoring program “The Hidden Talents of Bulgaria”.

Thanks to more than 20,000 contributors annually and our team of 250 volunteers across the country, for the last 11 years, 55 000 personal NEW gifts, which meet the exact wishes of children and youth deprived of parental care, from socially disadvantaged families, and disabled children or children at risk. 4 years ago we started operating at national level and since then we have been visiting 7 000+ of nearly 400 social services in the country per year.

In order to make their lives a little more comfortable throughout the whole year, the campaign also provides food, clothing, different materials, school and home supplies, home appliances, specialized equipment, and other necessities to the homes of the children and youth we visit. For the last several years we have been including in the list of beneficiaries adults with mental disabilities for they have the soul of a child.

Our team believes that WE, THE SOCIETY, must engage actively and continuously into supporting the development and realization of these children and youth, as they are tomorrow’s leaders and heralds of the changes that we long to see in Bulgaria. The year-round mentoring program “The Hidden Talents of Bulgaria” gives them the real chance to achieve a bright and dignified future.

If you want to donate for the future of these talented children and youth or to find out more about each of them, click HERE.