Bartell Drugs is helping to give “bear hugs” to children in stressful or traumatic situations as the Puget Sound area drugstore chain teams up again with Warm 106.9 FM in the annual “Teddy Bear Patrol” campaign through March 30.

All 58 Bartell Drugs locations – including the Kirkland location at 14442 124th Ave. N.E. – are designated locations for teddy bear donations.

The annual drive puts teddy bears in the hands of community police departments, hospitals and emergency response teams so they may give bears to children involved in challenging situations.

More than 74,000 bears have been collected over this past several years for this tremendous cause.

Donation options at Bartell Drugs stores in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties include:

• Purchase an official “Bartell  Bear” for $ and Bartell Drugs will donate a second bear to the campaign

• Donate a new or gently used bear, under 12 inches

For more information on the program and nearby Bartell Drugs locations, visit www.bartelldrugs.com