It’s Bear Hug Season at United Airlines

It is that time of year again when United Airlines invites its customers and employees to bring smiles and bear hugs to children in need through the airline’s Adventure Bear Program. With each contribution of $20, United will deliver a limited-edition GUND® teddy bear, «Ben Flyin,» to children experiencing health struggles or economic hardship in the communities the airline serves worldwide. Proceeds will benefit the March of Dimes.

Ben Flyin is the eighth limited-edition bear in the Adventure Bear program and is on a mission to lift the spirits of children across the globe. The furry travel companion comes complete with an exploration-ready vest and a passport full of adventure-inspiring activities.

And this year, for customers and employees who choose to purchase a bear for themselves, Ben Flyin has a young travel companion, Elijah, named and modeled after the 2015 March for Babies National Ambassador Elijah Jackson. Elijah is the 12-year-old son of United employee Elise Jackson and her husband Todd Jackson.

«The Adventure Bear Program not only brings a tremendous amount of joy to deserving children across the globe, our customers and our employees, it gives hope and inspires imagination through the adventure of travel,» said John Rainey, United’s executive vice president and chief financial officer. «We’re excited to see what fun lies ahead for Ben Flyin, Elijah and all the new friends they’ll meet this year!» There are three ways customers can help:

• Give a Bear: with a $20 contribution, a child in need receives a Ben Flyin bear and a donation is made to benefit the March of Dimes.
• Give a Bear, Get a Bear: with a $40 contribution, customers receive a limited edition Elijah bear and a Ben Flyin bear, plus a child in need receives a Ben Flyin bear.
• Make a 100 percent tax-deductible contribution: Give any amount to support the March of Dimes.

This fall United employees and program partners will deliver the bears to children at hospitals, schools and other organizations.  All program proceeds will benefit the March of Dimes, which this year celebrated 10 years of working together with United to provide families across the country with support and valuable information on pregnancy and having healthy babies.

United Airlines and United Express operate an average of nearly 5,000 flights a day to 373 airports across six continents. In 2014, United and United Express operated nearly two million flights carrying 138 million customers. United is proud to have the world’s most comprehensive route network, including U.S. mainland hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. United operates nearly 700 mainline aircraft, and this year, the airline anticipates taking delivery of 34 new Boeing aircraft, including the 787-9 and the 737-900ER.