NATCHEZ — For decades, hundreds of teddy bears have resided at Green Leaves in Natchez.

A fixture of the Koontz-Beltzhoover family, the teddy bear collection was amassed by the late Virginia B. Morrison.

Born in 1926, the same year A.A. Milne’s “Winnie the Pooh” published, she was surely destined to become a bear enthusiast, says her daughter Joie Morrison.

In 1970, Virginia decided to incorporate her teddy bears into the family’s holiday spirit by decorating a teddy bear Christmas tree.

“I remember thinking, ‘That’s nuts,’” Joie said.

That same year, J. Wesley Cooper featured a photograph of the Green Leaves teddy bear Christmas tree in his book “Antebellum houses of Natchez.”

As the years went on, Joie said her mother collected nearly every kind of teddy bear one could imagine and gave them a home at Green Leaves.

Now, those bears are looking for a new home with local boys and girls, and Joie is hosting a teddy bear adoption party as a fundraiser for the Natchez-Adams County Humane Society from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10.

Her mother was a dedicated supporter of the humane society and a lover of animals, Joie said.

“We have all these bears, and I wanted to do something that would honor my mother and also bring a lot of joy to people,” Joie said. “I really think she would be happy to know the teddy bears would be going to homes and also helping the humane society.”

After the adoption party, the humane society will host A Christmas Taste of Natchez Party for adults with hors d’oeuvres, desserts and a cash bar.

The party will also feature a silent auction with numerous items, including artwork, home décor, wooden serving boards, china, gift baskets, Christmas décor and more.

The humane society hosts two parties, one in the spring and one during the holidays, as its major fundraisers for the year, Christmas fundraiser chair Susan Callon said.

NACHS depends on donations from the community to keep its doors open and care for the area’s animals, Callon said.

“We just transported our 3,000th pet,” Callon said. “It’s expensive to transport them, and we still have pets here that we need to take care of.

“The animals are like part of our family, and they’re part of God’s creation, and we need to take care of them. We just appreciate all the help we receive from the community.”

At the teddy bear adoption party, a $5 donation per child and $15 donation per adult will be collected at the door. A teddy bear can be adopted for an additional donation to the humane society.

The adult party is set for 7 to 9 p.m. and is $30 per person.

All donations to the humane society are tax-deductible.

Donations can also be mailed to P.O. Box 549, Natchez, MS 39121 or dropped off at the shelter, located at 475 Liberty Road.