Central Christian Church brings teddy bear Christmas to foster kids on the Island

A Charlottetown church is working with the province to deliver teddy bears and other stuffed animals to children in foster care this Christmas.

The Central Christian Church started the fundraiser last year, donating 150 teddy bears.

This year's fundraising efforts have been so successful, the church is making an extra donation of 150 teddy bears for Christmas, which will be delivered next week.

Sarah Townsend started the initiative, called Teddy Love.

"People have been coming in all week, dropping off teddy bears, so that's so exciting," said Townsend. "I'm proud to be a part of something like this. I'm even more proud that our community is jumping on board."

"This is an opportunity for us to raise awareness for the importance of not just giving a teddy bear, these children need love and attention and comfort and they need a safe place and it's important for children to feel loved, and it's important for people to show that," she said.

Townsend hopes the initiative will inspire more people to become foster parents.

The church is holding a fundraising gospel concert this weekend, with a portion of the proceeds going to Child Protection Services to buy Christmas presents for foster kids.