SOUTH BEND – More than 400 newly purchased Teddy bears have been delivered by South Bend Airport through its first Bears in the Air program to the pediatric departments at Memorial Children’s Hospital and St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.

The bears offer companionship and smiles during a child’s stay in the hospital.

“The response to the program was fantastic,” said Mike Daigle, executive director of the airport. Bears in the Air began Nov. 30 when travelers and the public were invited to donate a newly purchased Teddy bear or make a cash donation in which a bear would be given along with a donation to the Robert L. Miller Sr. Veterans Center.