Mother-Daughter Duo Collecting Teddy Bears for Local Children

Two East Meadow businesses have come together to spread some cheer to children this holiday season.

Christine Mooney, owner of Tender Tales Nursery School, and her daughter, Elizabeth DeGennaro, owner of Wild Cherryz Dance and Fitness, are collecting new teddy bears that will be delivered to children at Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC) in East Meadow and the INN in Hempstead.

"The look on a child's face when they receive a bear is priceless," Mooney said.

Mooney said she began collecting the bears when past East Meadow Chamber of Commerce president Millie Jones invited her to the annual children's party at the medical center.

"For the past three years I have been collecting teddy bears and delivering them to the hospital for the children and families at NUMC," she said. "This year my daughter asked if she could help so she opened her studio to collection of bears."

At least 100 teddy bears will be delivered to NUMC Dec. 13 and the INN on Dec. 17.

The mother-daughter duo will be collecting bears through Dec. 6 at Tender Tales Nursery School and/or Wild Cherryz Dance and Fitness. All bears will be labeled "I was hugged by a child at Tender Tales Nursery School."