Charitable Gift Giving

This Christmas as you’re gathering and celebrating with your family, remember to take just a brief moment to say a prayer and remember those who are going through tough times. And among those who are going through the toughest times are kids who have been diagnosed with cancer and their families.

The American Cancer Society is a non-profit organization whose mission is to save lives by investing in cancer research, educating and empowering people to avoid cancer or to detect it early, and helping people who are fighting against this terrible disease. They rely on donations to continue their important cause that affects so many of us.

Last year, United Airlines and the American Cancer Society teamed up for a pretty cool idea. For every donation of $50 or more (or 7500 United air miles which would be pooled together to help families stay together during cancer treatments), United arranged for a huggably soft, limited-edition 18-inch Gund teddy bear named “Kenny Hugyou” to be delivered to children in select hospitals around the country. The program was a hit: over $500,000 was raised, and thanks to the donations of many, 10,000 of these bears were given to children who could use the hug.

This year, they’re repeating the program, but this time the star is Kenny’s little blue-eyed sister “Maye I. Hugyou”, also a huggable, limited-edition 18-inch Gund teddy bear, who will be delivered to children.

And just like last year, if you donate $250 or more, United will also send you a second teddy bear to your home for you to to keep as a collectible or to give as a gift.

To make a donation, visit http://www.united.com/bearhug