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Hundreds rally to help Vancouver woman find ‘Mamabear’ with recording of mother’s voice

Ryan Reynolds offers up $5,000 reward for missing bear
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Mara Soriano says ‘Mommabear,’ a bear with a recording of her mother’s voice, was stolen in Vancouver on Friday, July 24, 2020. Soriano’s mother passed away last year. (Mara Soriano)

Hundreds of Vancouverites and even Ryan Reynolds are raising the word of a stolen teddy bear with a Vancouver woman’s mother’s voice recorded inside.

Mara Soriano said the Build-a-Bear was stolen near Davie Street and Thurlow Street on Friday (July 24).

“I just want my Mamabear back,” Soriano told Black Press Media.

She said the bear was in a Herschel backpack that also contained a bright purple journal, and passports and identification documents in a Contiki brand black travel case with an orange zipper.

The bear contained a recording of Soriano’s mom, Marilyn, who passed away last year, saying how much she loved and was proud of Soriano.

The 28-year-old says the bear was in a backpack she left outside after getting a call from a friend who was hit by a car on his way to help her move. The friend is okay, she said, but the bear is gone.

In a tweet, Reynolds said “Vancouver: $5,000 to anyone who returns this bear to Mara. Zero questions asked. I think we all need this bear to come home.”

Zack Braff also tweeted “NEED THIS BEAR TO COME HOME!!!!!!” as many others donated to Sunnybrook Hospital Hospice Wing, where Soriano’s mom was treated.

Soriano said she was “humbled by the amount of positivity and offers of help from everyone,” but urged Vancouverites to stay safe and to wear protective gear if they were looking through alleyways and dumpsters for the bear.

“I would hate for anyone to get hurt,” she added.

As of Sunday morning, Soriana posted to Twitter that she had photos of the suspect, as well as video footage provided by nearby restaurants.


@katslepian

katya.slepian@bpdigital.ca

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