Teddy Bear Club Returns to Sigonella

As the first leaves from the trees fell to the ground signifying the beginning of Fall, USO Sigonella got busy planning fun Fall activities to bring to the NAS Sigonella community. Putting the heat of the Summer behind, a much-loved family program made its return with in-person interaction, after an absence that started with COVID back in March. Abiding by all health and safety regulations set by NAS Sigonella, the USO team, led by Program and Volunteer Coordinator Jaymi Schap, worked hard to ensure that the preschool aged participants would have a morning full of Fall fun - leaving them not only with crafts and snacks, but memories of fun and laughter.

The program is called Teddy Bear Club and it is for the littlest patrons of NAS Sigonella. Many of the children have literally grown up in-front of the USO staff and volunteers during this monthly program. Since this had not been an in-person event for over 6 months, there was great anticipation to see how much the little ones had changed and grown, and the event felt like a “family reunion”! Making the return of this meaningful program even more special, the morning was spent reading about, “Hector the Collector”, eating lovingly prepared ‘squirrel snacks’, and making a Hector puppet to take home. Everyone had a blast bringing in the new season, reconnecting with each other over the reading, craft-making, and snacks, and making plans to attend the next Teddy Bear Club programs in the months to come.