Meritorious Service Medal

• Awarded on: May 26, 2003
• Invested on: December 05, 2003

Sylvia Hatfield, M.S.M., Victoria, British Columbia
Meritorious Service Medal (civil division)

In February 1998, Sylvia Hatfield coordinated the Bears and Bags project, and oversaw the initial production of 250 teddy bears to be shipped to a remote poverty-stricken area in Tanzania. Since then, her initiative has grown into a remarkable operation, which produces and ships more than 18,000 teddies, each in its own bag bearing the Canadian flag, for distribution to needy children throughout the world. With seniors contributing to the cause in several communities, Mrs. Hatfield has touched the lives of less fortunate youth in mental institutions, refugee camps, homeless shelters and destitute families in 36 countries around the globe.