Almost 5,000 people took part in the All-Russian action of Rosprirodnadzor "Toy for a veteran" and presented teddy polar bears, which they made with their own hands for veterans of the Great Patriotic War, said Svetlana Radionova, head of the Service. The action dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory took place within the framework of the International Children's and Youth Prize "Ecology is everyone's business". The soft polar bears, the symbol of the award, were sewn by children and adults from different regions of the country, including children from orphanages, boarding schools and children from social rehabilitation centers who were left without parental care. All of them were very happy to create soft toys as a gift to the veterans. Svetlana Radionova, the country's chief ecologist, noted that the action "Toy for a Veteran" received a huge response among children and adults. Not only families who cherish the memory of the heroes of the Great Patriotic War took part, but also kindergartens, schools, correctional centers and boarding schools.

"We have received thousands of letters from toy authors thanking the Ecology is Everyone's Business Award for the rare opportunity to give veterans warmth and a smile. Soft toys have become a simple and heartfelt way to say thank you to veterans for their exploits. I wish them good health and create a festive mood on the eve of May 9th. Many participants used unnecessary scraps of fabric, remnants of yarn and other recycled materials. They turned out to be stunningly beautiful cubs – symbols of appreciation and respect to all those who forged a Great Victory!" said Svetlana Radionova, head of Rosprirodnadzor.

According to Svetlana Radionova, the toys were sent to veterans by residents of the most remote corners of our Homeland. These are the workers' settlement of the Seekers of the Nenets Autonomous Okrug, and the legendary city on the Angara – Bratsk, and the northern outpost of Russia, the city of military glory – Arkhangelsk, and the village of Nizhnetambovskoye Khabarovsk Territory, and the sunny capital of Dagestan – Makhachkala. Several white bears arrived from the Republic of Khakassia with author's postcards from the pupils of the Lastochka orphanage. Two orphanages in the Kemerovo region, social rehabilitation centers for minors in the Sakhalin and Rostov regions, the Krasnodar Territory, a special boarding school in Petrozavodsk, and the Pskov Center for assistance to children left without parental care joined the campaign. Dasha, a 14-year-old student at the Krasnodar Rehabilitation Center, wrote that participating in the action was a real lesson for her in patriotism and love for the country's history. After tying up the Umka bear, the girl confessed that she felt proud of a very important task. For the fact that her act will leave a mark in the heart of a veteran.

"I'm 10 years old. My brother and I are currently in the children's rehabilitation center in Timashevsk, Krasnodar Territory. It was here that we learned about the All-Russian action "Toy to the veteran". It turns out that the symbol of the Rosprirodnadzor award is Umka the white bear, the hero of one of the favorite Soviet cartoons. We decided to take part and thank everyone who defended our homeland. I hope that the soft toy will bring joy and warm emotions to the veteran," Veronika, a pupil of the social rehabilitation center from Timashevsk, wrote.

Svetlana Radionova, Head of Rosprirodnadzor, thanked all participants of the action "Toy to the Veteran" for their heartfelt congratulations to the veterans. And she noted that the younger generation honors the memory of the heroes and is inspired by their courage. She also takes care of those who need her so much. Many toy authors admit that they participate in the action in memory of their native veterans who are no longer around. White bears have become a symbol of deep respect for the ancestors who fought and all defenders of the Fatherland. Some participants created souvenirs with a national flavor. This was done by fifth graders from the city of Pechora. They made not just toys, but key rings, and decorated them with scarves in the colors of the Komi Republic flag. Activists of the environmental movement of the city of Gus-Khrustalny used sintepon, obtained from a recycled plastic bottle, to sew bears. And the teachers of the Arkhangelsk kindergarten gave a second life to fabric samples from a furniture store. Together with the children, they sewed memorable gifts for the veterans. Some of the toys have already been presented to veterans in different cities of Russia. The rest are on their way. They are presented by volunteers and employees of the territorial departments of Rosprirodnadzor.