The next day, IADT adjunct professor Mark Lillis showed the motivational film “Pass it On” in his College Success course, and one of the film’s messages—that passion plus talent, and action plus the right associations, equals success—struck a chord with Denisea. She shared her dream and her idea of
making teddy bears for children affected by the fires with Professor Lillis, who immediately said, “Let’s go tell some people.”

The events that followed were remarkable. “What would have taken six months we were able to do in less han a week,” said Lillis. Denisea went from classroom to classroom at IADT sharing her idea to produce 100 handmade bears within five days, and mobilizing the students and staff. “Within one hour, 150 people had volunteered,” she said. Word of Denisea’s goal spread quickly: three hours later, the Westfield Roseville Galleria donated 100 teddy bears. So Denisea upped the goal to 1000 bears. IADT administrators opened the school facilities for the sewing of the bears, all made of donated materials like soft old clothes. When the local news caught wind of the effort and “Good Morning Sacramento” interviewed Denisea, the greater community became involved.

People began donating bears, and special bear-making areas were set up at the mall. The Build-a-Bear Workshop company volunteered to stuff all the bears for free, and FedEx donated the shipping of the bears to San Diego. At the deadline, Denisea and her crew had gathered or made 800 bears. Responding to the public outpouring of support, the Westfield Mall purchased tickets for Denisea, two family members, and ALL of the students in her class to deliver the bears to San Diego in person.

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