THREE FRIENDS, Nicole Northey, Makayla Pereira and Meagan Poertner, have come together to create bears for sick children at the Credit Valley Hospital. Photo/MANDI HARGRAVE A foster sister living in the Dominican Republic was the inspiration for three Caledon girls to make teddy bears and give them to sick children at the Credit Valley Hospital in Mississauga.

Makayla Pereira received a foster sister for her eighth birthday. To do something nice for her she wanted to make a teddy bear and send it to her.

However, since her mother, Janet, didn't know if they were allowed to send gifts, she suggested instead that Makayla make a teddy bear for a child at the Mississauga hospital's new cancer ward who may be terminally ill or confined in the hospital and could use a little comfort.

When Makayla's friends Nicole Northey and Meagan Poertner heard about this they wanted to help her.

Through research Ms. Pereira found a business in Orangeville called My Plush Friend, owned by Kelly Dash, where they could purchase unstuffed teddy bears for the girls.

Ms. Dash sold them to the three at cost and donated one bear, as well as clothing for them.

"I wanted to help because I think what they're doing is really great and I would like to see all businesses help them if they can," said Ms. Dash.

The three went door-todoor whenever they had free time to raise money to purchase the unstuffed bears. They sold cancer charms and yellow ribbons that were left over from Ms. Pereira's own effort to raise money for a woman in their neighbourhood who has cancer.

The girls successfully raised over $160 and were able to buy 10 bears.

They delivered the bears to the hospital about three weeks ago.

"Putting smiles on their faces and giving them comfort," was the girls' goal, said Meagan.

But it wasn't all fun and games for the girls.

"Not making enough money to make the bears worried us," said Makayla. "But then my Mom pitched in for the outfits."

The girls were also selling the charms in the extreme heat.

The girls were a little scared at first when they took the stuffed bears to the hospital, but only because TV crews were there to film the kind deed. Once that started their fear turned into excitement as they handed over the bears.

Meagan hopes the bears are making the children feel happy and comforted.

"I think it probably lifts their spirits, too," said Ms. Pereira. "Hopefully it inspired some of them. I firmly believe that how you feel has an immediate effect on your well being. So, if they feel really bad about being sick it may help them get better by lifting their spirits."

Makayla said this is their very own not-forprofit business and they're all hoping to do this on an annual basis.

But, to do so they need help from the community. Donations can be made through the www. myplushfriend.com web site by clicking on the charity bears link.