The twelfth annual Bears in the Air program will officially take off at South Bend International Airport on Friday, Dec. 1.

The party begins at 6 p.m.

The event is open to anyone 21 years of age or older.

The $35 per person entry fee will provide a teddy bear to a child in an area hospital and assistance to the Veterans at the Robert L. Miller Sr. Veteran’s Center.

Guests will enjoy small plates, one free drink from the cash bar, music, and door prizes including airline tickets from Allegiant, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines.

Anyone unable to attend the event is encouraged to donate to the program through Dec. 15 at https://givegrove.com/bearsintheair2023/.

In the past eleven years, over 17,000 teddy bears have been provided to children in area hospitals and $86,600 to the Veteran’s Center in downtown South Bend through the annual effort.