Bear settles into new digs

On Monday afternoon, the Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts-New England Medical Center welcomed its newest resident: the FAO Schwarz bear.

Ellen Zane, president and CEO of the hospital, was pleased to unveil the 12-foot-tall and three-ton bear statue that once stood outside the FAO Schwarz toy store on Boylston Street, which closed in 2003.

"There is no more appropriate location for this bear than the Floating Hospital for Children," she said.

Mayor Thomas Menino, who attended the dedication ceremony, agreed.

"The bear can be enjoyed by visitors and patients, both inside and outside the hospital, and by children at the Quincy School," he said.

The Quincy School was instrumental in making the hospital the bear's new home. School Principal Bak-Fun Wong said he was grateful the mayor relocated the bear in Chinatown.

"I have to thank the mayor for choosing the Floating Hospital as a site for it," he said. "Most importantly, I can say that he is a mayor for education and for children."

Students from the Quincy School prepared three songs to welcome the bear to their neighborhood, singing "we welcome you, our giant bear."

There was a stiff competition for the bear - the statue's relocation committee received 7,000 requests from 34 states and five countries asking that the bear be placed in various locations, Menino said.

"The children and staff here made quite an impression on the site selection committee," he said.

Zane also noted the hospital's dedication to campaigning for the bear.

"I have never seen our group more excited than in the competition for moving this bear and being selected for this bear," she said.

Kim Richmond, the executive vice president for FAO Schwarz, said she was thrilled the toy company could contribute to the Chinatown community and the Floating Hospital.

"What a thrill, what an absolute thrill," she said. "This is the most special thing I've ever done since I worked for the company."

Menino said the hospital was an appropriate location for the statue because the hospital staff takes care of children on a daily basis. Wong felt the bear should be at the hospital for the same reason.

"The teddy bear is a symbol of the power of love, care, friendship, gentleness and company," Wong said. "Isn't it nice to see the new home of the FAO Schwarz teddy bear?"

Diamond Tincher, a 15-year-old patient at the Floating Hospital, was all smiles during the ceremony.

"My health is good, the Floating Hospital got the FAO Schwarz bear and the Red Sox won the World Series," Tincher said. "What more can I ask for?"