News

Bears of Hope Back Making Bears

2012-01-23T16:36:00Z

Bears of Hope volunteers are back from their six week R & R.

This year begins our fifth year! Since our beginning, we have made a total of 1050 bears to bring hugs, comfort and hope to sick and needy children and adults. Our 2012 gaol is to make at least 250 bears.

End of Year - 2011

2011-12-01T17:19:00Z

What an incredible year it has been for Bears of Hope. Our 2011 goal was to make a minimum of 250 bears. We exceeded that number and made 300 bears:

* 233 bears went to social service agencies & clergy to give to someone they serve needing TLC.

* 17 bears were sent to Israel for critically ill patients at Israeli hospitals.

* 50 patriotic bears were given to veterans to thank them for their service to our nation.

Since our beginning in 2007, over 900 bears have been made. These bears are snuggled in the arms of children and adults who are coping with difficult life situations.

Beginning December 14, Bears of Hope will hibernate for much needed R&R. We'll start making bears, fully energized, beginning the end of January.

Bears Thank Veterans for Their Service

2011-11-14T16:57:00Z

Bears of Hope joined McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant in Skokie for its annual 'Veterans Appreciation Event' on Sunday, November 13. Veterans who served in the Army, Navy, & Air Force came to the restaurant. Many served during World War 11; Korean War; Vietnam; Iraq; or Afghanistan. Veterans were given a Bears of Hope patriotic bear to thank them for their service and the restaurant gave them a complimentary meal.

Restaurant, General Manager, Jackie Healy said, "Having Bears of Hope at our location was an added bonus and a huge part of the event that meant so much to the veterans".

One veteran replied, "I liked how the bears were personally distributed to us. I served during the Vietnam War and when we returned we were not treated well. Getting the bear and the personal thank you means so much to me. This bear will sit proudly in a place of honor in my home."

Bears Hold Stuffing Party with Seniors

2011-09-12T17:00:00Z

Senior residents at Seasons at Glenview Place attended Bears of Hope's "Stuffing Party". Bears volunteers assisted and socialized with the seniors as they stuffed bears. The bears being stuffed are patriotic bears for veterans. Seasons, Director of Lioofestyle Programs, Amy Cardoza, said, "The residents appreciated being part of the Bears project for our veterans. They are greatful for everything our veterans and active military personnel do to protect our nation.

Seasons residents stuffing bears for veterans

1000th Bears of Hope

2011-08-26T15:33:00Z

At the end of August, the 1000th bear was made and Bears of Hope did it in 4 1/2 years since the organization began in 2007. Founder, Carolyn Reiner, replied, "So many bears bringing hugs, comfort and hope to sick and needy children and adults. No of this would have been possible without our volunteers who help me make the bears and our supporters who provide the resources to purchase the materials to make the bears. Together, we make a difference in the lives of children and adults".

Founder, Carolyn Reiner, holding 1000th bear

Bears Volunteers Help Get Bears Ready for Delivery

2011-08-03T17:00:00Z

During May - Bears volunteers came together to get bears ready for delivery. Bears needed to get their facial features ironed on; ribbon tied around their necks into bows; and packed into bears.

Youngsters Doing a Good Deed

2011-04-29T16:15:00Z

Youngsters, 9 & 10 years old, attending Beth Emet's Religious School, are working on a project with Bears of Hope. They are making our bears for critically ill patients at Israeli hospitals. The students began by tracing the bear pattern on printed cotton fabrics. Once the bears are sewn, the kids will stuff them, iron-on facial features and put bows around the necks of the bears. Marci Dickman, Director of Life Long Learning said, "It was wonderful seeing how excited the children were to be doing something for others."

Bears Delivered to Chai Lifeline

2011-04-28T18:10:00Z

Abby's bears she designed were delivered to Chai Lifeline. Suri Brownstein, Chai Lifeline Program Coordinator, exclaimed, "These bears are beautiful. They will be loved by the sick children we serve."

Bears Made for Service Project

2011-04-11T15:38:00Z

Abby ironing facial features on bearsAbby Bettenhausen chose Bears of Hope as her Bat Mitzvah service project and Chai Lifeline to be the recipient of the bears she made. Abby wanted to do as much as possible in the project. She began by tracing the bear pattern on unprinted cotton fabric panels. Then she met with family members and friends to create designs on the bear patterns. After we sewed and stuffed the bears, Abby ironed-on the bears facial features and tied bows around the their necks. At Abby's Bat Mitzvah, the bears were used as table centerpieces. We packed and delivered the bears to Chai Lifeline.

Bears Designed By Kids for Distressed Children on Display at North Shore Community Bank

2011-03-30T14:52:51Z

Several of the bears kids designedDuring April, 2011, the public is invited to come to North Shore Community Bank, 7800 Lincoln, Skokie, during banking hours Monday-Saturday to see Bears of Hope unique bears kids from the bank’s Junior Savers Program designed. These bears will be given to the Skokie Police Department. Police Officers will give the bears to children in trauma from accidents, domestic violence, and criminal incidents.

The bears were created at our Children’s Craft Program the bank sponsored. Kids ages 6-12 came to the bank and were given fabric panels with Bears of Hope's bear pattern traced on it. The kids designed bears with fabric paint markers. Bears volunteers sewed the fabric panels into bears; stuffed them; and got them ready to be displayed at the bank.

When Bank President, Ross Mathee, saw the completed bears, he exclaimed “ Wow!” and then added, “These bears are gorgeous. They will surely bring comfort to children feeling upset.”