Gulf Coast Blood is proud to partner with BEAR (BE A Resource) to bring a sense of comfort, connection, and holiday cheer to patients who are spending the season in local hospitals.
As an added way to give, donors are also welcome to bring a new, unwrapped toy to contribute to our holiday drive. While toy donations are completely optional, they’re a wonderful way to make an even greater impact — especially for children receiving care in hospitals who may not be able to celebrate the season at home.
Whether you donate blood, write a message, contribute a toy — or do all three — your kindness has the power to bring healing, hope, and happiness to someone in need.
Together, we can brighten the holidays for patients and families across our community.
Find a convenient location to donate blood & drop off a toy Toy Suggestions Way to Contribute Amazon Wishlist Monetary Donation
Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center will be providing BEAR Houston bins inside all our Neighborhood Donor Centers to participate in BEAR Houston’s BEARing Gifts program. Donors can drop off a brand-new holiday gift to donate to a child under the care of CPS. Please bring new toys appropriate for children aged newborn to 17 years old.
Gulf Coast Blood will be providing BEAR (BE A Resource) bins inside all our Neighborhood Donor Centers for donors to participate in BEAR (Be A Resource) BEARing Gifts program. Donors are invited to drop off a brand-new holiday gift for a child under the care of CPS. Please bring new toys appropriate for children from newborn to 17 years old. In addition, you can also purchase items from BEAR (BE A Resource) Amazon Wishlist or donate monetarily.
When you participate in Gulf Coast Blood’s Holiday Hugs, you could be giving two gifts in one — the lifesaving gift of your blood donation and the uplifting gift of a heartfelt holiday message. Patients across 170 hospitals in our 26-county region benefit directly from your generosity. When you donate blood, please take a moment to write a message of holiday cheer on one of our notecards.
BEAR (BE A Resource) is the only 501(c)(3) organization working alongside Harris County CPS and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to provide unique programs that go beyond meeting basic needs. BEAR’s services bring comfort, dignity, and moments of celebration that help propel children toward a brighter, more successful future.
Gulf Coast Blood is the sole blood provider for Houston and surrounding communities, serving 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We are one of the largest community blood centers in the nation, proudly serving 26 counties across the Texas Gulf Coast, Brazos Valley, and East Texas, with more than 170 hospitals and healthcare partners. Our facilities include Gulf Coast Blood East Texas and Gulf Coast Blood Brazos Valley.
Holiday Hugs is one of Gulf Coast Blood’s cherished annual traditions. By gifting teddy bears to patients spending their holidays in the hospital, we help spread comfort and joy throughout our community. Our donors love writing heartfelt holiday messages to accompany these bears and look forward to this tradition every year. This year, we’re proud to partner with BEAR (BE A Resource) again — giving donors the chance to share Holiday Hugs and help fulfill the holiday wishes of over 23,000 at-risk children.