FSBC Sets Out to Build World’s Largest Teddy Bear Tower

Just as bear sightings are a rarity in Kansas, so are teddy bears for some kids in foster care and hospitals.

First Southern Baptist Church is formally inviting the community to help them make history: Build the world’s tallest tower of teddy bears. Every teddy bear will be donated to local organizations that serve and support kids in southwest Kansas. The church is also accepting monetary donations to purchase bears for donations.

Mark Cress, the pastor at FSBC, has a personal connection to the foster care system.

My wife Katie and I are currently fostering two kids and we’ve adopted 4 kids out of the foster system,” Cress said. “I once heard a statistic – if one family out of every church in America took in one foster kid, the need for the foster system that currently exists would disappear.”

Children admitted or adopted out of the foster care system usually are given a teddy bear as a source and symbol of comfort in the midst of uncertainty. The tower of teddys will be given to agencies that advocate for children including foster care agencies, crisis pregnancy centers, homeless shelters, doctors’ offices, hospitals, domestic abuse offices, and police, fire, and EMS departments.

The church congregation will be sent out on September 10 to hang signs on doors explaining their goals to make history and also make a difference in the community. They will also be invited to attend the church service. The teddy bear tower will be constructed on September 24 during the church’s Sunday service at 10:30 a.m. located at 621 N Western Ave.