About the Bears
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 fighting non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She's now healthy, in remission and has her life back.
She knows first hand how difficuly life can be at times and how something sode to cuddle can help make you feel better. Carolyn had her bear to hold, cuddle, or look at whenever she felt sick, sad, or lonely.
While recovering from a stem cell transplant, Carolyn decided to do something to bring comfort to other children and adults also going through challenging times like she did. Carolyn thought: “wouldn’t a bear bring them comfort like my bear did for me?"
Carolyn with Bears of Hope
Bears of Hope was born when Carolyn made a prototype bear. She showed it to clergy, friends and business associates. They all gave her positive encouragement for her concept: one-of-a-kind handmade fabric bears to bring comfort and hope to sick children and adults.
In January, 2007, Carolyn turned her idea into reality when she started making bears. When her friend, Joanne Purvin, found out what she was doing, Joanne said, "Count me in!" That first year, they made 60 bears. Now over 30 volunteers help make bears. Over 350 bears are made each year.
Local social service agencies are given bears for sick children and adults under their care. Until these agencies began getting our bears, they rarely had, if any, niceties to give to those needing emotional support to feel better.
As of January 1st, 2019 over 2,500 bears are giving comfort and hope to sick children and adults needing extra hugs to feel better. Carolyn replied, "None of this would be possible without our volunteers dedication to make the bears. I appreciate all they do for Bears of Hope."