Tampa Rough Riders donate over 10,000 teddy bears each year to people who “need a little love.”

The Rough Riders still proudly roam Tampa’s palm-lined streets—these days armed with cuddly teddy bears instead of Teddy Roosevelt’s fearsome Calvary horses.

Roosevelt’s legendary legion of marauders attacked and captured San Juan Hill, Cuba, during the 1898 Spanish-American War.

The larger-than-life American hero, then just 39 years old, led the victorious assault on the New York governorship, the vice presidency, and then the Oval Office—all in less than three years.

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He stationed his forces in Tampa before sailing to Cuba during a war that changed geopolitics 125 years ago.

Today’s Rough Riders are a Tampa “Krewe” that honors the memory of the unity and the city’s role in American military and presidential history.

Bob Moeller is President of the 1st US Volunteer Cavalry Regiment Rough Riders, a “krewe” of Tampa residents who donate over 10,000 teddy bears each year to “anyone who needs a teddy bear and a little love.” (Kerry J. Byrne/Fox News Digital)

They collect and distribute more than 10,000 teddy bears each year to local children and families in need – among other charitable endeavors and civic activities.

“We will be distributing them to children’s hospitals, VA centers and assisted living centers,” Lt. Col. (Ceremonial) Bob Moeller, president of the 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment Rough Riders, told Fox News Digital.

“Tampa Rough Riders give out stuffed animals to ‘anyone who needs a teddy bear and a little love.'” – Bob Moeller

“Pretty much anyone who needs a teddy bear and a little love,” he added, who the groups will help.

Loved by generations of children, teddy bears are named after Theodore Roosevelt. The very first teddy bear was sold 120 years ago, on February 15, 1903, while President Roosevelt was in the White House.

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Krewes, like Moeller’s teddy bear-hugging Rough Riders, are civic and charity organizations that march in local parades, throw celebrations, and otherwise bring a festive atmosphere to a community.

The University of Tampa’s main building, Scenic Plant Hall, was formerly the Tampa Bay Hotel. Teddy Roosevelt stayed at the hotel while preparing to lead the Rough Riders in their assault on San Juan Hill in Cuba. (Kerry J. Byrne/Fox News Digital)

Each krewe usually wears festive costumes.

The Rough Riders wear late 19th-century US Army tan and blue Calvary uniforms with tropical headgear popularized by the hero of San Juan Hill.

“Tampa is full of Krewe life,” wrote Tampa magazine last year.

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“People with common interests gather in these social and philanthropic affiliates and have a great time.”

The NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers call their season ticket holders “Krewe Members,” following local tradition.

“Tampa is full of Kru life.” – Tampa Magazine

The sprawling Rough Riders clubhouse in Ybor City features parade floats on the outside and an entire storage room on the inside with teddy bears sorted by size from small to giant – the largest stuffed bears as big as grown men.

Moeller’s Rough Riders, founded in 1978, serves charity and the preservation of American heritage.

The 1st US Volunteer Cavalry Regiment Rough Riders is a Tampa Krewe celebrating the life and legacy of Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders while doing charity work in the city. Their sprawling clubhouse includes murals and dioramas of the Rough Riders’ assault on San Juan Hill in Cuba during the Spanish-American War. (Kerry J. Byrne/Fox News Digital)

“They really drove through Tampa,” Moeller said. “It’s a real part of our history.”

Florida’s City by the Bay is filled with memorials commemorating the Rough Riders and their attack on San Juan Hill on July 1, 1898.

Ornate Plant Hall, the main building on the University of Tampa’s beautiful campus, was the Tampa Bay Hotel in the late 19th century. Roosevelt used it as his headquarters while in town.

“The Rough Riders, who ‘could flog Caesar’s Tenth Legion,’ brought enduring glory to Tampa.” — Historical marker

“Tampa was a collection of old, weathered homes floating on a sea of ​​sand,” when Roosevelt and the Rough Riders arrived by train on June 3, 1898, reads a historical marker in Ybor City, Tampa’s popular old town World.

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“The Rough Riders, who ‘could flog Caesar’s Tenth Legion,’ brought enduring glory to Tampa.”

Krewes are common around the Gulf of Mexico, especially in New Orleans where they are a staple of Mardi Gras celebrations.

A historical marker in Ybor City, Tampa commemorates the city’s role as a staging area for the assault on San Juan Hill, Cuba, by Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War. (Kerry J. Byrne/Fox News Digital)

Tampa Krus play a key role in Gasparilla, the city’s raucous annual pirate festival.

Founded in 1904, it is the annual highlight of Tampa’s communitywide social calendar and is organized by Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla.

Moeller, who was born and raised on Staten Island, New York, compares the Kru culture to the mummies of Philadelphia and Britain.

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“While there are krewes across the country, they’re widespread in Florida, with about 130 kruwes active,” Tampa Magazine reported last year.

“The Krewe scene is especially thriving in Tampa.”