About the Bears

Carolyn with Bears of Hope Bears of Hope Story

Like many grand ideas, Bears of Hope was born during a person’s personal struggle with a life threatening illness.

Carolyn Reiner started Bears of Hope after several years fighting non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cancer. She is now healthy, in remission and has her life back. She knows firsthand how difficult life can be at times and how much comfort and hope something soft to cuddle can help.

 While reflecting on her religious leader’s visit when she was in the hospital, she wondered how sick children and adults feel when their clergy or social worker comes to visit them and thought: wouldn’t a bear to hug give them comfort and make them feel more at ease ?

           Bears of Hope was born 

 Carolyn made a prototype bear and showed it to clergy, friends and business associates.  After receiving positive encouragement for the concept: to create fabric bears for sick and needy children and adults, Carolyn turned her idea into a reality.

The bears are 15" tall, made of 100% cotton fabric and stuffed with Fairfield poly-fiber. No two bears are made with the same fabric.  Each bear is unique, just like the bear's recipient.

Clergy and social service agencies are given Bears of Hope.  They, in turn, give bears to children and adults they serve facing trying times.  There is no charge for the bears. Social service agencies and clergy are grateful to get bears. They rarely have enough niceties to give to children and adults to make their situation more bearable. 

Carolyn and her friend, Joanne Purvin, began making bears in 2007. Now Bears of Hope is in its fifth year. Over 1025 bears have been made and are now bringing comfort and hope to individuals needing TLC. Carolyn added, "None of this wouldn't be possible without the dedication of 30 volunteers who help me make the bears and supporters donations which make it possible to purchase materials for the bears.  I appreciate everything the volunteers and supporters do for Bears of Hope."

For more information contact:  Bears@bearsofhope.com or 847-673-4098