Community members enjoyed a sunny afternoon playing in the Stedman Community Hospice gardens during the fourth annual Teddy Bear Picnic on Sunday, October 4, 2026.
Organized by Patty Sager and volunteers, the free event was designed as a fun afternoon for families of all ages, while donations were accepted in support of children’s programming at Stedman.
From face painting to balloon animals, tug-of-war and potato-sack races, bouncy castles and a magic show, there was plenty keeping youngsters entertained throughout the afternoon.
“We have lots of things going on here today, the grounds are just filled with all sorts of fun,” said Sager, with a smile. “It’s slower than it was last year because of the rain in the morning, but it’s all good. We still have lots of foot traffic and it’s just been so phenomenal to welcome everyone back.”
With beloved companions in hand, children raced around the grass, interacting with several life-size teddy bears. While many happily played with bubbles, took their teddies to the first-aid tent or picnicked with their families, others were sure to not miss the opportunity to get a closer look at the Lightning McQueen car parked on site.
The event also featured a scavenger hunt to encourage children and their families to visit the roughly twenty-two vendors spread out around the grounds, many of which had several activities set up for the kids.
Kerri VanSickle, Director of Stedman Community Hospice, said she was appreciative of Sager and all who have gotten involved in the event.
“It’s just incredible,” she said. “All of our programs at Stedman, whether it’s care in the hospice or out in the community, are offered to people at no charge, and so it takes a village to do this work and having members of our community support us just means the world to us.”
While many people may hear Stedman and associate it with older adults, the hospice also provides several resources for children.
“With this specific fundraiser, we’re able to take the funds and gear them towards the children’s services. We always say, ‘If someone has experienced a loss, look for the children’ because while people don’t think that they have the ability to, they’re often the silent grievers,” said VanSickle. “The funds from this event will go towards supporting things like our Tender Heart bears, which are little stuffies with backpacks that can be personalized with the voice or the heartbeat of a loved one who has died. We also have all sorts of literacy resources to teach kids how to feel and express themselves. Storybooks are a great way to work through grief literacy, so we also have resources for teachers because kids at home is one thing, but teachers are often with children all day long. And we don’t want kids to be labeled or diagnosed when they’re experiencing a really difficult time in their life and having a normal, natural response. We want to teach them how to live with grief rather than trying to treat it.”
In the end, VanSickle added that one of the biggest benefits of the event is being able to welcome community members onto the grounds and give them an opportunity to become more familiar with Stedman during a fun event.
“Being able to bring people out to the campus and make it a non-threatening event is great because they get to learn about us and how we support children too,” she said. “That way, when their family is in need one day, they can think of the Stedman Teddy Bear Picnic and know that it’s not a scary place.”
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
