The System of Comfort: How Teddy Bears Rewire Crisis for Children

NEW YORK, NY – August 10, 2026 – On August 17th, the manicured greens of Richmond County Country Club will host the familiar choreography of a charity golf tournament. Golfers will compete, network, and dine, all in the name of a good cause. But beneath the surface of this philanthropic ritual lies a far more intricate and impactful system—one dedicated to intervening at a child’s most vulnerable moment. The event, Teddy Bears On Call’s Third Annual “Golf for a Purpose,” is the economic engine for a mission that deploys a deceptively simple tool, a teddy bear, to de-escalate the trauma of a hospital emergency room.

For over a decade, the volunteer-run nonprofit has been quietly working to re-engineer the pediatric emergency experience. It operates on a starkly simple premise: place a soft, comforting teddy bear into the hands of a frightened child facing a medical crisis. Yet, the outcome is anything but simple. It’s an act of psychological first aid, a deliberate intervention that transforms fear into trust and provides a tangible anchor in a world of sterile chaos. As the organization celebrates its tenth year, its work reveals a powerful case study in how human-centered design, powered by volunteerism and strategic partnerships, can fundamentally alter a high-stakes system.

The Psychological Architecture of a Bear

The flashing lights, the unfamiliar faces, the sharp scent of antiseptic—a hospital emergency department is an environment of profound sensory overload for an adult, let alone a child. In this setting, a teddy bear is not just a toy; it becomes a critical piece of psychological infrastructure. Child development experts refer to such items as “transitional objects,” tools that provide comfort and security by representing a link to the safety of home. Teddy Bears On Call has effectively weaponized this concept for good, systematically distributing these objects to healthcare professionals as a core part of their pediatric care toolkit.

Research overwhelmingly supports the efficacy of this approach. Comfort objects are proven to reduce anxiety, lower stress markers, and even mitigate the perception of pain. For a child, clutching a bear provides a locus of control in a situation where they have none. It’s something to hold onto, literally and emotionally, when their body is being poked and prodded. Medical staff leverage this. A doctor can use the bear to demonstrate a procedure—“I’m going to check the bear’s heartbeat first”—transforming a terrifying unknown into a shared, understandable experience. This simple act builds a bridge of trust between the provider and the young patient, making treatment faster, safer, and less traumatic for everyone involved.

“What may seem like a simple teddy bear can become a source of comfort, security, and courage for a child facing a traumatic experience,” said Alan B. Stolzer, the organization's founder and president. The bear becomes a silent companion, a brave stand-in, and a reward for courage. And crucially, the child gets to take it home. This extends the object's utility beyond the emergency room, helping the child process the event and providing continued comfort during recovery. The bear becomes a tangible part of their story, a symbol of their resilience.

A Decade Forged in Volunteerism

The enduring success of Teddy Bears On Call is not just in its mission, but in its operational model. The organization is run entirely by a dedicated corps of volunteers, a fact that speaks volumes about the resonance of its purpose. This isn't a top-heavy charity with high overhead; it's a lean, agile system fueled by passion and expertise freely given. The leadership team itself is a microcosm of the modern professional landscape, a blend of disparate skills converging on a single goal.

Its founders, Alan B. Stolzer, a U.S. Army Reserve veteran with a long history of community service, and Michael Castro, a seasoned business development executive in the architectural stone industry, exemplify this fusion. They are joined by board members with deep experience in procurement, cybersecurity, marketing, and construction. Tony Shala, an executive with the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, provides financial oversight. Warren Hershkowitz manages marketing, and Mike Randazzo leverages his construction industry network for outreach. This diverse brain trust allows the nonprofit to operate with a level of strategic sophistication that belies its volunteer status. They build lasting partnerships, manage fundraising, and ensure every dollar raised translates directly into the organization’s comforting output.

This structure is the “why” behind the organization’s longevity and impact. It has created a sustainable ecosystem where professional skills are repurposed for social good, demonstrating that the most powerful capital an organization can have is human commitment. It’s a model that has allowed a simple idea to flourish for over a decade, placing thousands of bears and delivering immeasurable comfort without charging hospitals or families a single cent.

The Ecosystem of Giving: Corporate Strategy Meets Community Need

The upcoming golf tournament is the most visible manifestation of the final piece of the system: the symbiotic relationship between the nonprofit and its corporate partners. Companies like AECOM Tishman, OPI Construction, DK Construction, and ABC Stone are not just writing checks; they are investing in the well-being of the communities where they operate. Many of these sponsors are in the business of building—shaping the physical skylines and infrastructure of our cities. Their support for Teddy Bears On Call reflects a deeper understanding of what it means to build a community, which requires not just steel and concrete, but social and emotional support systems.

Michael Castro, who serves as Vice President of Business Development for ABC Stone, embodies this connection. He leverages a thirty-year career building professional partnerships to now build a network of support for the nonprofit. “Every child deserves compassion, especially during moments of fear and uncertainty,” Castro stated. “A teddy bear may seem simple, but in a hospital room it can become a source of comfort, trust and courage for a child - and hope for an entire family.”

This is corporate social responsibility in its most direct form. The funds raised from sponsorships and participation in the “Golf for a Purpose” event are the lifeblood that allows the volunteer machinery to function. It’s a clear and efficient transaction: a day of golf funds a year of comfort. This partnership model is a powerful example of how the private sector can effectively fuel grassroots initiatives, creating a powerful and sustainable cycle of giving that delivers tangible, immediate results to those in need.