WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — A Winston-Salem woman has turned the pain of losing her son in a car wreck to helping children in the hardest times of their lives.

Pat Taylor founded Project Buddy Bear in 2018

To date the group has donated over 500 teddy bears

The group makes the bears for law enforcement and fire departments to distribute

Pat Taylor founded Project Buddy Bear in 2018 after her adult son passed away in a car accident. 

“After he died I just needed something to do. I needed something to take my mind off of pain, and grief, so that’s how this started,” Taylor said.“After he died I just needed something to do. I needed something to take my mind off of pain, and grief, so that’s how this started,” Taylor said.

She had an idea to make stuffed teddy bears to donate to police and fire departments to give to children in need to make a connection within the community.

Taylor has a group of women who gather inside a meeting room at the South Fork Recreation Center and volunteer their time to make this project happen. To date, they've made and donated over 500 teddy bears. 

“I’ve always said bears hug back, and they do. It’s important to have something to hold onto, you know, especially when I don’t know dad just beat up mom, or you’re getting in a car accident, or God only knows the millions of different things that kids in town have to deal with, so that’s what keeps us going," Taylor said.

The group also donates bears to family service workers who provide the handmade teddy bears to children dealing with trauma. The group is always looking for volunteers and donations. To get in touch, visit the group's Facebook page.