Read Bears & Welcome Worms
2026 marks our 8th year in collaboration with the Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre.
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About the Read Bears project ...
The Read Bears project is a simple, but effective program aimed at Year 1 students to help foster a life-long love of reding!
This much-loved (and very cute) project has proven effective in increasing children’s reading skills, language skills, self-confidence and well-being.
Students (aged 6 to 7) are given a hand-made donated Read Bear with an attached tag enabling the child to personalise their bear with a name.
Children take the bears home and are encouraged read out-loud to their new 'friend' every weeknight.
This provides children with more motivation to read books by having a 'friend' to read to; providing an opportunity for self-directed learning.
It also encourages parents & siblings to be involved in reading with the child at home.
Fraser Coast Libraries assist with the program by generously donating a book to go along with each bear!
Currently Read Bears are delivered each year to schools in the Fraser Coast region, with hopes to expand the program throughout Queensland.
Milestones of the program ...
2019 .... program starts, partnership between HBNC and the Red Cross
2020 ....
2021 ....
2022 .... 4th year in a row .... donated 400 hand-knitted bears! (Read more)
2023....
2024....
2025....
2026 ....
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How can you help?
🐻 The Read Bear program is assisted by a community grant from the Hervey Bay RSL.
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🐻 You can also help by donating to the appeal on HBNC website (Donate here)
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🐻 Have wool that you'd like to declutter? Contact us to arrange collection of your donation!
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Read Bears & Welcome Worms...
