Testimonials

 

Thank you for coming today to participate at Carrington at Lincolnwood's Veteran's Concert. It added so much meaning to today’s event. I appreciate Bears of Hope being here. The bears are great!  Loree Kilian, Director of Life Enrichment

Thank you for the box of bears. We received them yesterday and as usual each one is unique and they are all wonderful! We truly appreciate your generosity sharing them with our patients. Journey Care Hospice

 

We had a great time working with you and Sandra creating materials for the Bears of Hope. Thank you for coming out and sharing your program and energy.  College of American Pathologists employees

 

Thank you so much for sharing information about our students volunteering for Bears of Hope. It is so awesome they are volunteering, so that the cute bears from Bears of Hope can be distributed to those children and adults who could use a sweet BEAR HUG! Kudos to you for making this happen each and every year! You put smiles on the faces of those who are the recipients! High School District 219

 

We received bears this morning. We can’t thank you enough. Recently we did a public education at a church, where we gave out over ten bears. The kids were thrilled. You have given us a great way to open our kids up even more and we are able to not only reach those ill or injured, but also those in an educational setting.Thank you. We'll do better and snap a picture or two next time, the smiles make all the difference. Skokie Fire Department

 

We are grateful for the Bears of Hope bears we received.  They provide comfort to the abused children we work with! Thanks you. Children's Advocacy Center North & Northwest Cook County.

 

I just saw the bears video, "Bears of Hope Celebrates 10 Years!". This is beautiful in so many ways.  Bears Supporter (To see the video, click the link   https://youtu.be/5thzzaeFs6s) 

 

My family and I just happened to pick McCormick & Schmick's for lunch on November 5.  Upon entering, we saw the Veterans Day Event being co-hosted by the Restaurant and Bears of Hope. I am a current Army Reservist and a Veteran so I signed up.  Imagine my surprise when a Bears volunteer presented me with an amazing patriotic bear! AND thanked me for my service. It was a great surprise. Thank you for what your organization does!   

 

We just received a box of bears. These are always welcomed by our patients. We are very grateful for your contributions!   Thank you for your continued support to JourneyCare.   Journey Care - Hospice & Palliative Center

 

Like you Bears of Hope for your continued donations of one of a kind bears! Our clients appreciate taking a bear with them when they leave our center!    Children's Advocacy Center of North and Northwest Cook County

Our patients just love the bears.  I have to tell you a cute story.

One of our hospice patients has been clinging to her bear since she received it. Let's put it this way, it's very hard to get the bear away from her, even for bathing. Our nurse was visiting with her when a new patient was admitted. The patient was very tearful and kept asking for her baby. Our nurse's patient said, "I feel so sorry for her.  Please give her my bear."  The nurse reminded her that if she gave the new patient her bear she wouldn't get it back. She replied, "The new patient needs it more than me. I will be fine." How sweet of this elderly woman to do this. The nurse came into my office and asked if she could have another bear for her patient. Of course, I gave her another bear. The patient was elated when she received her new bear. What a beautiful moment for our patient to come alive for that one minute to notice someone else needed comfort and that her bear would do just that.

A big 'thank you' for everything you and the voluntters do to bring a ray of sunshine to so many faces. Rainbow Hospice & Pallitive Care Center

 

Thank you for your in-kind contribution of Bears of Hope bears.  These went immediately to the children we serve.  Karen Goldman, JCFS

 

Please accept our sincere appreciation for your thoughtful donation of lovingly handmade teddy bears for the children who come with their mothers to our shelter. Our clients benefit greatly from the generosity of individuals like you. On behalf of those who will be touched by your kindness, thank you very much. Women's Shelter - Northern Suburbs

 

It is so apparent how much love goes into these special stuffed bears. The sick children we serve will love them. Thank you for continuing to share the bears with us. Your continued support is inspiring.  Chai Llifeline

 

On the behalf of the patients and families we are privileged to serve, please accept my sincere appreciation. Thank you for your willingness to share your time and talent with others and all you do to support those we serve. Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care

The Armenia Relief Mission, located in Armenia, receives Bears of Hope bears throughout the year. My doctor, Dr. Kashian, I call him, Dr. K, not only founded The Mission, but also the Armenia Orphanage. Doctor K saved my life! He diagnosed my cancer ten years ago and made arrangements for me to get treated. I'm healthy and in remission.  When I learned Dr. Kashian goes to Armenia many times a year to give medical aid to children at the Relief Mission,  the Mission was going to get Bears of Hope bears.                                                Carolyn Reiner, Founder and Volunteer, Bears of Hope

 

 

This spring, a company sent bears to the Ophanage for the children.  No only were there not enough bears for every child, the bears were much smaller than Bears of Hope bears. The Orphanage contacted the Relief Mission  to get some Bears of Hope bears. Now there were bears for every child.  When the box was opened and the children saw the Bears of Hope bears, they all wanted one of those bears.  Dr. Kashian said, " Bears of Hope bears made a big hit with the children!"

 

The Armenia Relief Mission is grateful for Bears of Hope bears. They make the children feel better and put smiles on their faces.  Doctors give bears to children who come to the Mission seeking medical support.      Dr. Stephen Kashian, Orchard Medical Group and Founder of Armenia Relief Mission and Armenia Orphanage

 

The bears help us provide the children we serve something for them to hold and hug while they rebuild their quality of life free from violence and abuse.  We are grateful for your support. Women's Shelter - Chicago Westside

 

Hope is so important to our families. We are so very grateful for the bears. Bears of Hope; so appropriately named! Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness.    Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care

 

Every bear truly delivers joy and peace to a child in need.  The warmth contained in each bear is certainly felt.  Thank you for all of your support. Elizabeth Judd, JCFS

 

Our Children's Coordinator loves welcoming each child to the shelter with the comfort of one of your bears! The children are especially grateful for the wonderful bears. Women's Shelter, Northern Suburbs

 

We gave a critical ill boy a Bears of Hope bear.  Although he received get well gifts from his family, the only one he wanted was the bear.  His mother said he slept with his bear and throughout the day he hugged it.  The boy is getting better and his bear stays close to him giving him hugs, comfort and hope.  Suri Brownstein, Chai Lifeline Program Coordinator

 

A girl came to talk to me about her cousins who were killed in a car accident.  I gave her a Bears of Hope bear to hold.  She squeezed that bear the enire time we talked.  When we finished, I asked her if she'd like to take the bear home to squeeze and talk to when she felt sad.  Her face lit up and she marched out of my office hugging her bear.  The bear was really a source of comfort and security for her.  With the bear in her arms, she was able to express her feelings openly.                                           Rabbi Andrea London, Beth Emet Free Synagogue

We would like to extend our appreciation to you for your handcrafted fabric bears in patriotic fabric.  Your thoughtfulness reflects the concern you feel for our veterans and for the service they provided all of us while in service to our country.  Without your support, we could not provide for the smaller niceties that make hospitalization more bearable.                                                Department of Veterans Affairs, Edward Hines Hospital

 

 

It is always a treat to give one of the hand-crafted Bears of Hope to a child in need. They truly bring hope! We look forward to continuing to work with you. Jewish Child & Family Services

 

We give the bears to orphans and children from poor families in Armenia through our Relief Mission. They bring joy to the children and are a comfort to them. Often the bear is their only toy.  Dr. Stephen Kashian, Orchard Medical Group and Founder Armenian Relief Mission

 

We received the Bears of Hope and they are absolutely adorable! Rest assured, the kids are enjoying them very much.
Women's Shelter-Far North Suburbs

 

We would like to thank you for coming and helping us with our community service project. The bears are awesome. We hope the bears cheer up sick and needy children and adults. We appreciate being able to help and would like you to come back soon for another community service project. PACE students at NLU

 

Enclosed is a financial gift to Bears of Hope for materials to continue your great efforts in providing comfort to those in need. We are excited to have our group volunteer and be a part of creating these bears.
Littelfuse, Inc., Des Plaines, IL

 

It is so sweet and kind what you do. I'm proud to be in the cirlcle receiving bears to bring to sick and needy children and adults. Rabbi Jonathan Magidovitch, Congregation B'nai Torah

 

The bears are so cute. I can't wait to give them on to children in our foster care family preservation program.Children's Home & Aid-Arlington Heights, IL

 

The bears are just so special and adorable. They have been a huge hit with those who have received them. You are an inspiration! Chai Lifeline

 

The women are very grateful for your gifts that are so important during what is such a painful and trying time in their lives. The bears allow these women to give their children special gifts as they strive to build new lives free from violence. Women's Shelter, Chicago Northern Suburbs

 

The bears have been a real comfort to our patients and their family members. Bethany Terrace Health Centre

 

The bears bring great cheer and many smiles to children in need of love and support. Rabbi Matthew Berger, Temple Chai

 

The bears will be a blessing to all of our little ones who find themselves unfortunate to get sick or hurt. Pastor Susan Shelley Parkview Community Church