Forget Barkley — a new bear owns Whatcom’s heart during the coronavirus pandemic
Though Barkley may have owned this town a few summers ago — Whatcom County is all Boozey Bear’s during the coronavirus pandemic.
Boozey Bear wasn’t “born” until Cinco de Mayo this year — you know, the one with all the memes about Cinco de Mayo falling on a Taco Tuesday but being canceled by a virus with the same name as a Mexican beer.
“I had just been watching a lot of news and was seeing a lot of ads saying ‘We’re all in the together’ and ‘Being alone together’,” Boozey told The Bellingham Herald, requesting the bear’s true identity be kept secret. “But I felt alone. I didn’t feel like I was with anyone. I imagined all my friends were feeling the same way, and I wanted to do something to lift their spirits.”
And what is a bear named Boozey going to do to spread cheer and lift the spirits of a Whatcom community during a pandemic?
Well, deliver booze, of course.
So now Boozey drops off gifts, such as Jello-O shots, Boozey Pops (adult icy pops), growlers of beer, wine and other treats to friends in the community.
“Boozey started with just my friends and people I knew, and I wanted to do it anonymously because that’s how Boozey likes to work, so I wore a costume,” Boozey said.
Boozey does not sell alcohol — “These are all gifts” — and kids, don’t try to pull the fur over Boozey’s eyes — Boozey checks IDs before handing over gifts and promotes responsible drinking.
Most gifts are delivered Saturdays, and Boozey is not working for any local drinking establishments.
Boozey started a Facebook page so that friends and other community members could request visits, enter contests and keep up to date on Boozey’s travels, and “It got really big really fast,” Boozey said.
Boozey Bear’s fan page, which is actually Boozey’s second Facebook page but the one actively being used now, has more than 900 people following it.
Boozey said approximately 50 gift deliveries have been made so far and approximately $200 has been spent on gifts.
Fortunately, a community that quickly fell in love with a booze gifting bear has stepped up and shown that love in return.
“It’s really refreshing to see the community come together and support Boozey,” Boozey said. “It wouldn’t be possible without all the support Boozey has received.”
122 West Brewing Company is allowing people to bring in and leave donations for Boozey, some of which have included a $50 gift card to 122 West and $100 cash. The brewery also is allowing Boozey to bring in empty growlers from any establishment and will sterilize them and fill them at half price for Boozey to gift again.
A 76 gas station in town donated a case of White Claws for Boozey to gift, and Bellingham’s 24 Hour Taxi even has given Boozey rides around town to drop off gifts on a couple Saturdays, which is a good thing, because bears can’t drive.
“Boozey knows what dogs feel like in a car,” Boozey said. “Boozey also has to have its head sticking out the window to breathe.”
According to Facebook posts, Boozey also had to invest in some shower caps to keep its furry feet from getting wet during a Whatcom County rain.
But the reward of dropping off gifts is enough for make up for those problems.
“Everyone is really happy,” Boozey said. “The best part is seeing the smiling faces and Boozey’s friends so happy. A lot want hugs, but Boozey doesn’t give hugs — social distancing.”
Though Boozey is not looking forward to summer — fur is hot and a cooling vest is expensive — the bear said gifts will continue to be distributed as long as community support continues and cheer is needed.
“There is something I feel really strong about — your life is the reflection of what you give others,” Boozey said. “When you think in those terms, giving is really easy. We need more giving and caring in a time like this.”
This story was originally published May 23, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
