A Beary Merry Holiday Brings Smiles, Snuggles, and Generosity to Wartburg Residents

Mount Vernon, NY (December 12, 2025) There was something especially meaningful about Zachary Stern’s ninth birthday this year. Instead of focusing on gifts for himself, Zachary chose to give joy to others; sharing his love of teddy bears with older adults and asking a simple, heartfelt question: If teddy bears bring me comfort and happiness, could they do the same for someone else?

That question sparked a beautiful act of generosity that culminated in Wartburg Adult Care Community’s Beary Merry Holiday, a campus-wide celebration filled with smiles, hugs, and holiday cheer.

With the support of his family, Zachary launched a Spotfund.com campaign called “Teddy Bears for All.” His mother, Jenn, and stepfather, Brian Langergaard, helped turn his birthday wish into action, amplifying the effort through family connections and philanthropic support. When Jenn and Brian happened to meet Pastor Kimberli Lile, Director of Spiritual Care at Wartburg, at a local restaurant in their hometown of Port Washington, NY, conversation turned to family-and to Zachary’s dream of sharing teddy bears with elders.

“Come up to Wartburg in Westchester,” Pastor Lile suggested. And just like that, the seeds of something special were planted.

Working collaboratively, Wartburg’s Advancement, Recreational Therapy, and Spiritual Care teams designed a joyful afternoon that would allow Zachary and his family to personally deliver teddy bears across campus. The bears were supplied by the “Ms. Teddy Bear” company. On Friday, December 12, Zachary, his mom Jenn, stepdad Brian, and brother Nate arrived at Wartburg, where The Beary Merry Holiday officially began.

The tour visited four communities in one afternoon:

• Wartburg’s Adult Day Services,
• Meadowview Assisted Living where Wartburg independent residents joined in,
• the Skilled Nursing Center, and
• the Berkemeier Living Center, Wartburg’s memory care residence.

At each stop, teddy bears were greeted with laughter, smiles, and heartfelt embraces, clear signs that joy was indeed on the move. In all 285 bears were distributed.

“Zachary reminded all of us that compassion has no age limit,” said Pastor Kimberli Lile, Director of Spiritual Care. “His generosity created moments of connection that transcended generations and brought pure joy into the lives of our residents and patients. This was ministry in a most beautiful form.”

Wartburg CEO Dr. David Gentner echoed that sentiment.