A collage of three groups holding teddy bears poses at different locations. One group stands in a hospital lobby, another in front of a building, and the last by a Christmas tree. The background is a V-shaped design.
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Bringing Comfort, One Teddy Bear at a Time

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At Valage Senior Living at Carson Valley, we believe the holiday season is about connection, compassion and community. That’s why our Teddy Bear Initiative means so much to us.

In collaboration with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada, we delivered more than 500 personalized teddy bears to children, adults and seniors in hospitals and care facilities throughout the region. Each bear carried a personal touch, thanks to 15 dedicated young volunteers from the Boys & Girls Club, who handcrafted name tags to make every gift unique. Their creativity and thoughtfulness underscore the importance of fostering intergenerational connections, a cornerstone of Valage’s mission as we prepare to open in spring 2025.

Tamra Tsanos, Executive Director at Valage Senior Living, shared her thoughts on the partnership:

“The kids from the Boys & Girls Club have been such an important part of this effort. Their handwritten tags make the bears truly unique, and their involvement reflects the kind of intergenerational connections we aim to foster in the future. It’s a beautiful example of how small actions can make a big difference.”

Deliveries Across the Region

The Teddy Bear Initiative took us on a journey through the region, bringing comfort to those who needed it most.

  • Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center: Teddy bears were shared with patients across multiple departments. Our team also had the opportunity to connect with hospital staff and leadership, who expressed gratitude for the care and thoughtfulness behind the initiative.
  • Carson Valley Health Urgent Care: Bears were delivered to patients and residents receiving care at Carson Valley Health Hospital. Joining us for this special delivery were Taylor Lambert from the Boys & Girls Club, along with Karen Malekos Smith and Tamra Tsanos from Valage and Heidi Saucedo from Carson Valley Health.
  • Barton Health in South Lake Tahoe: Our final delivery brought bears to patients in skilled nursing, medical-surgical units and the ICU. During this visit, we met with Chris Kiser, Executive Director of the Barton Health Foundation, and Carla Adams, Chief Nursing Officer at Barton Health, and toured the skilled nursing facility to witness the program’s impact firsthand.

A Broader Vision for Community Integration

The Teddy Bear Initiative goes beyond holiday cheer – it’s part of Valage’s long-term vision for community engagement. As Valage prepares to open in spring 2025, this project lays the foundation for meaningful partnerships and intergenerational programming that will bring seniors and younger generations together in impactful ways.

Future collaborations with the Boys & Girls Club will include shared events and projects, creating opportunities for connection and growth. Karen Malekos Smith, Director of Sales and Marketing at Valage Senior Living, shared:

“This initiative lays the foundation for Valage’s future. It’s not just about teddy bears – it’s about creating lasting relationships and showing our neighbors that we’re here to make a difference.”

Looking Ahead

As Valage continues to integrate into the Minden community, initiatives like the Teddy Bear project demonstrate our commitment to building meaningful relationships that make a difference.

“We’re local at heart, and our mission is to integrate fully into this beautiful town,” shares Karen Malekos Smith.

The Teddy Bear Initiative is just the beginning. Through intergenerational events, shared projects and partnerships like the one we’ve developed with the Boys & Girls Club, Valage is building a future rooted in compassion, connection and care.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this initiative possible – from our partners to the incredible kids who poured their hearts into creating each special teddy bear.

Stay Connected: Follow us on our website and Facebook page for updates on future projects and events.