MONROE — On Tuesday, Oct. 11, the Monroe Clinic & Hospital Foundation accepted a donation of 42 Cuddle Bear & Book sets collected through a drive hosted by local community member Lisa Beach. 

Lisa previously hosted a Cuddle Bear & Book drive in 2021, giving people the option to donate money towards the purchase of a Cuddle Bear & Book set to be given to pediatric patients at SSM Health Monroe Hospital and SSM Health Monroe Clinic Medical Group, in both the Emergency Department and Allergy/Pulmonary departments. She received tremendous support and the bears and books were loved by both the parents and children who received them.

As inventory from the initial drive dwindled, the Monroe Clinic & Hospital Foundation reached out to Lisa to ask if she’d be willing to support again through hosting another drive this fall. She was happy to take on the challenge, and thanks to her efforts and generous donations from our incredible local community, there will be cuddles abound to help support SSM Health’s littlest patients in their times of need. 

“This is such a wonderful display of goodwill in our community. Lisa’s willingness to host the event again and all of the donors who gave funds to purchase the books and bears are so appreciated,” remarked Jane Sybers, Executive Director of the Monroe Clinic & Hospital Foundation.