Gov. Beshear: Kentucky State Police Launch Annual Trooper Teddy Sale to Support Children in Crisis

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 26, 2025) – As holiday shopping begins, the Kentucky State Police (KSP) encourages Kentuckians to give a gift that goes beyond the season. The agency’s annual Trooper Teddy Black Friday sale runs Nov. 27 through Dec. 2, offering the signature teddy bears at a special price of $20.

Each bear purchased helps fund the Trooper Teddy Project, a long-standing program that places teddy bears in the hands of children experiencing traumatic events, including severe illnesses, abuse or involvement in critical incidents. The initiative operates solely through charitable contributions and bear sales, ensuring all proceeds directly support the purchase of additional bears.

“This sale is more than a fundraiser, it is a chance for Kentuckians to be part of a moment of comfort for a child who truly needs it,” Gov. Andy Beshear said. “Every bear purchased becomes a helping hand we can extend during a family’s most difficult day.”

Trooper Teddy began in 1989 following a fundraising effort led by former Kentucky First Lady Martha Wilkinson, whose initiative helped purchase the first 2,000 bears. Since then, the program has become a cherished part of KSP’s service to Kentucky families.

“The impact of these bears has reached far beyond what anyone imagined decades ago,” KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett Jr. said. “They serve as a small but meaningful reminder that no child faces hardship alone, and that the Kentucky State Police support victims through difficult times.”

Trooper Teddy Bears can be purchased online or at any KSP Post. Customers may pick up bears at a local post at no cost or choose to have them shipped for an additional fee. Supporters can also make tax-deductible donations to the project. To purchase a bear or contribute to the Trooper Teddy Project, please visit the official Trooper Teddy website.

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Editor’s Note: click here to access Trooper Teddy videos and photos.