Ben Flyin recently visited MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital in Houston as part of United Airlines’ Adventure Bear program. United employees volunteer to deliver custom-designed GUND Teddy Bears to children facing medical challenges or economic hardship, bringing moments of comfort and joy.
Dressed in an explorer vest, Ben Flyin carries a passport filled with travel-themed activities that encourage children to imagine new adventures with their furry companion. The passport and bear are designed to spark creativity and provide a playful distraction during difficult times.
Houston was the second stop on the global delivery tour. Earlier, volunteers brought bears to children receiving cancer treatment at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. United pilots, flight attendants, mechanics and other uniformed employees plan more than 45 additional deliveries this year to hospitals, schools and community organizations across the United States and beyond.
“With more than 370 destinations worldwide, United is committed to giving back to the communities where our employees live and work,” said Bo Ellis, system chief pilot and a delivery volunteer for United Airlines. “Ben Flyin not only provides the comfort of a Teddy Bear, but also gives hope and inspires imagination through the adventure of travel.”
The program pairs United employees’ volunteer efforts with the GUND Teddy Bear, and proceeds from purchases help support continued deliveries and community outreach. To contribute directly, you can purchase a Ben Flyin Teddy Bear.
This initiative highlights United’s broader commitment to community engagement, using small acts of kindness—like a stuffed animal and an activity passport—to create positive experiences for children and families facing tough circumstances. Volunteers report that these visits often brighten a child’s day, offering comfort, imagination and a reminder that others care.
United’s Adventure Bear program continues to schedule visits throughout the year, delivering bears and activity passports to additional hospitals, schools and community organizations. The effort demonstrates how coordinated employee volunteering and thoughtful partnerships can make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and their families.