Representatives for Spark Energy canvassed the corner of  Market and High Streets to donate teddy bears to the "Stocking for Kids" program.

"Who doesn't like bears," said Director of Marketing for Spark Energy Hal Poel.  "We wanted to get the word out about Spark, but also contribute to a good cause."

Poel added, "we're giving people a choice in teddy bears, and we want them to know that they have a choice in energy."

Spark Energy purchased 1,000 teddy bears that people could pick up for free as they walked by.

"We want people to donate the bears to those in need.  We've had a couple of people come by and take bags of bears for their churches," Poel said.

Poel also joked that "there was no cost cutting in the quality of bears."

However, the free bears also came with a sales pitch about Spark Energy.  Starting next year energy purchasing will become deregulated in Pennsylvania providing residents with options outside of PECO.

"The energy business is made up of three parts," Poel said.  "They are generation, transmission and then selling the power.  Up until now, PECO has done all three.  We just want to let people know that there are alternatives."

Spark Energy and other energy providers like them negotiate with power generators to bring energy to homes.

"Your bill will still say PECO," Poel said.  "The difference is where PECO transmits that energy from."

Currently PECO generates the electricity, transfers it along its infrastructure and then delivers it to homes and businesses.

Under the new system, consumers have the right to buy the energy PECO generates or energy generated by another firm.

"We also allow users to buy the kind of energy they like," Poel said.  "We have some customers who want 50 percent renewable energy, and down the line, we'll even let people say they want only wind or solar.  There are a lot of options."

Spark Energy is only one of several energy providers coming to the area, and Poel encourages people to look into all their choices.

"It's an education process.  We want people to know they have the power of choice," Poel added.

The "Stockings for Kids" program is an initiative started by B101 radio station based in Philadelphia.  Started in 1996, the program aims to give children toys during the holidays who would otherwise go without.

For more information on where and how to make donations please visit the B101 Web site or visit a participating Philadelphia area Boscov's or Pep Boys.