BALANGA CITY — SM mallgoers nationwide during the Christmas season donated 50,000 Bears of Joy, an initiative of SM Cares aimed at spreading happiness to needy children in underserved communities.
SM City Bataan information officer Paula Gayeta said the record-breaking campaign was in partnership with Toy Kingdom where 100,000 bears were sold made possible by the collective generosity of SM Supermalls shoppers.
The SM Bears of Joy campaign is an annual initiative of SM Cares that empowers shoppers to spread holiday cheers by purchasing a pair of specially-designed plush bears with one to keep and another to share.
Gayeta said “Hug-a-Mood” as this year’s theme introduced four charming bears: Mikah, the curious explorer; Ash, the gentle and shy friend; Bree, the spirited adventurer and Ronnie, the creative dreamer.
She described each bear as having its own personality, symbolizing the warmth and joy of the season.
SM City Bataan for its part this holiday season brought special joy to children in the pediatric ward of the Bataan General Hospital.
“Each donated bear represents the kindness and generosity of a community united in its commitment to giving back. These simple acts of giving spread not only joy but also hope, showing that small gestures can create meaningful change across communities,” Gayeta said.
She said that SM Cares is the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls that supports initiatives focused on communities and the environment. Its advocacies include programs for the environment, Persons with Disabilities, breastfeeding mothers; youth, senior citizens, and the SM Bike-friendly initiative. Photo: SM City Bataan
