December 16 – WOONSOCKET, SD – In the midst of chaos and crisis, there is a simple act of kindness that can make a difference to a child: a teddy bear.
For Woonsocket teen Megan Kogel, that small but meaningful gift became the inspiration behind Bear Hugs SD, a charity that collects and distributes hugs to children in emergency situations.
The now community-wide initiative that provides comfort to children across South Dakota began as a personal mission born from the 15-year-old’s own family’s traumatic experience. Kogel said it started in 2022 after her family was involved in a car accident.
The crash claimed her grandmother’s life, but amid the chaos and trauma, there was one beautiful moment of kindness: an emergency medical technician (EMT) gave her young cousin a teddy bear to help calm her down. That simple act of compassion made a lasting impression on Kogel and inspired her to start her own initiative.
“I remember how grateful we were for that teddy bear,” Kogel said. “It was such a small gesture, but it meant a lot to us during such a difficult time. I want to pay that forward, to help other children who may be going through their own traumatic experiences.”
The accident also had a major impact on Kogel’s young cousin, who was only three at the time. The teddy bear the paramedics gave her became a beloved source of comfort, and Kogel noted that her cousin still carries the bear with him and sleeps with it every night.
As a participant in the 76th annual Miss South Dakota Scholarship competition and the Miss South Dakota Outstanding Teen pageant, Kogel chose Bear Hugs SD as her community service platform. As Miss Clay County Fair’s Outstanding Teen, Kogel has used her title to create the charity program, which aims to comfort children in times of crisis with the simple gift of a teddy bear.
“These teddy bears can comfort a child on one of the worst days of his life,” Kogel said.
With the goal of providing comfort to children in crisis, Kogel’s Bear Hugs SD program collects new and gently used stuffed animals and donates them to emergency services such as ambulances, sheriff’s departments and fire stations – organizations that often encounter children in distressing situations. These stuffed animals serve as a source of comfort and reassurance for little ones, whether they are being transported in an ambulance, visiting an emergency room or even experiencing a stressful moment during a traffic stop.
“The bears can help calm a child when they are scared, whether they are in an ambulance or witnessing a traumatic event,” Kogel says. “It’s about giving them something familiar and reassuring when they need it most.”
Since the launch of her initiative in 2022, Kogel has been busy collecting and distributing cuddly toys to various organizations. Her first donation went to Wessington Springs, and from there her reach has expanded to multiple locations in South Dakota. Some of the organizations that received donations include Jerauld County Ambulance, Sanborn County Ambulance, Plankinton Ambulance, Madison Ambulance and the Alexandria Fire District, to name a few.
Since its inception two and a half years ago, Bear Hugs SD has donated more than 500 hugs to seven different locations. In the first week of December alone, Kogel distributed 200 animals across three different locations.
Alex Burkel of Sanborn County Ambulance sees Kogel’s initiative as the perfect combination of kindness and community support.
“Megan’s kind heart combined with the amazing project she’s doing, it’s perfect,” Burkel said. “It’s just something that makes a difference during an emergency.”
Jerauld County Ambulance EMTs quickly worked with Kogel and recognized the value of having comfort items on hand for young patients. The department tries to keep a collection of stuffed animals and coloring books in the ambulances for children they encounter.
Kogel says he has received support from local entrepreneurs. A donation from the Broadland Buddies 4-H Club was the catalyst for the launch of Kogel’s Bear Hugs program.
As Bear Hugs SD continues to grow, Kogel is actively looking for more donation sites and partnerships. Black Tie in Huron is already an official drop-off location and is always looking for more businesses to allow it to set up donation locations, making it easier for the community to contribute. People can also contact her directly through her
Bear hugs SD Facebook
page, where she shares updates on her mission and encourages others to join in.
Kogel usually doesn’t see the immediate impact of her donations because her teddy bears often end up directly in the hands of children during emergencies. So when Madison Ambulance Service EMT Tate Hayford reached out after receiving a donation, it was a moment of connection and appreciation. Hayford sent the young philanthropist an Emergency Medical Service patch as a token of appreciation, a gesture usually reserved for inter-service exchanges.
“That was very thoughtful,” said Kogel. “It meant so much to me to know that the people I help are grateful for what I do.”
While Bear Hugs SD focuses primarily on donating to ambulances and emergency services, Kogel has also found other ways to support her community beyond direct crisis response. Some larger stuffed animals and dolls that don’t fit in ambulances have found homes in nursing homes like Weskota Manor Nursing Home in Wessington Springs.
Kogel is committed to reaching even more children in need. She regularly calls local fire departments, hospitals and nursing homes to find new donation options.
“I just call around to see where the need is,” she said. “I try to get as many bears to each place as possible so they have a good supply for a while.”
At this time, Kogel has no scheduled services to attend, but she plans to increase her outreach during her break from school to try to find her next recipient.
“There are still so many children who could benefit from a teddy bear,” she said. “I want to make sure that no matter what happens, there is a teddy bear there to help them through it.”
To support Bear Hugs SD or learn more about how to donate, individuals can visit Kogel’s Facebook page. Donations of stuffed animals, along with any additional support, are always welcome as Kogel works to make a difference in the lives of children who face some of the most challenging moments in their lives.
