I am pleased to announce that once again The Teddy Bear Fund was able to fulfill every request we received for help in providing a Christmas for the children of our clientele in the year 2007. The final tally is in and we were able to serve 212 children. Each child received both clothing and toys, prepared from wants and needs provided by the parents and the children themselves. Working with families from such organizations as Partners In Health, Merrimack Valley day Care in Boscawen, Chad in Hanover, the N.H. Department of Health and Human Services, as well as our own clients, we fulfilled our role as the "safety net" organization for the children.
Obviously, we could not have done this alone. A lot of the requests were placed on "Giving Trees" where names were chosen by generous people and the wishes granted. We warmly thank our friends at The Circle Restaurant, The Epsom Town Library, and the Merrimack Savings Bank of Bow for allowing us to use their locations for trees and pick-ups. We are also in the debt of the many people who took the tags and filled the wishes found within. Their generosity was overwhelming and many gave far beyond the requests. We are also extremely grateful to those people who donated financial support, allowing us to take in requests far after our deadline. My final thank you is reserved for my fellow members of the Teddy Bear Fund, who worked so diligently throughout the year to make this Christmas success possible.
Thank you all so much, and may you enjoy a New Year of happiness, good health and prosperity
Every now and then we are asked to work along with our friends at the Partners In Health Program, to assist with making a client family's life just a bit easier. The Partners In Health
(PIH) works with families who have children with chronic health conditions, providing education, support and encouragement according to each family's needs. As we all know, the ill children and the parents are not the only ones affected by the medical situation. The siblings of the ill child oft times feel "left out of the loop", fear for their brother or sister, spend less time with their parents and feel a loss of attention. This situation is one more source of stress on the parents, and it is here that we step in to try and help by providing a special day for the sibling.
Saturday, November 17, was one such day We are going to call it Kerry's Day.
At the September party for the client families of Partners In Health, we met a wonderful Mom and her two lovely daughters. The elder of the two (we will call her Terri)
is seven and the younger, Kerry, is five. Terri had been diagnosed with a rare genetic condition that had necessitated many trips to hospitals and specialists. Mom and Dad were both working two jobs and the strain was evident. Kerry, too young to fully understand all that was happening, was truly feeling left out. We offered to provide a special day that would be all about Kerry and a date was set. Mom filled us in on Kerry's favorite things and we took it from there! Kerry had no clue what was about to happen for her.
Saturday morning arrived and Jennifer and I met Janice from PIH at a restaurant near Kerry's home. This was to be our staging area throughout the day. At precisely 10:00 AM we arrived at Kerry's house. She recognized us from the party but was very surprised to see us. It was so fortunate that Dad had been able to get away from work so the whole family could be together. We told her that the Teddy Bear Fund had held a contest to find the "Best Little Sister in the World" and that she had won! We presented her with a framed certificate and told her that certain prizes would come to her throughout the day. Kerry loves fruit....more than candy or cakes or anything , so we presented her with the most incredible fresh fruit bouquet (donated by our friends at Edible Arrangements) and she and her sister dug right in. We also knew she adored the Disney Princesses so we gave her a large porcelain Snow White doll. She was thrilled with everything!
From there we said goodbye and told her we would be back.
When we arrived back at 11:00, the bouquet of fruit had been ravaged. We presented her with another Disney Doll, a Princess DVD and a plastic food set, from which she fed us all! We went back to the restaurant , said goodbye to Jennifer and welcomed TBF member Bob and his wonderful daughter Daisy to the crew. Off we went again to see Kerry
again. We arrived at Noon and the Fruit Bouquet was demolished! The kids were laughing and playing and Mom and Dad were beaming ear to ear. More presents were handed out and we arranged to meet the family at 1:00 at Kerry's favorite Pizza Parlor for her favorite Cheese pizza.
What a time that was!!!
The pies were devoured in no time and at this time, Lisa and Tiffany, fellow TBF Board Members joined us. We were quite a crew and by this time, one big happy family. Suddenly, Mom came through the door with a birthday cake and everyone began singing. I joined right in thinking how nice it was that someone had thought to bring a cake, until I realized they were looking at me and I remembered it was my birthday! Mom had been making the cake all through our morning visits. I defy anyone to find a better way to spend a birthday. When all was done and cleaned up, we told Kerry that there was one more thing left and it involved a car ride.
We formed a caravan and wended our way to Pennacook, ending at the Animal Shelter. We walked Kerry in and told her we were there to pet and visit the animals, which we did. But there was a special cage that the wonderful ladies there brought out with the most amazing bunny in it. One ear was down and the other was up; it was adorable and gentle as could be. Kerry and Terri sat and petted it and when we told them that it was going home with them, they were just overwhelmed! The cage was even donated by the facility. Outside we said our goodbyes. We hugged and promised to keep in touch and no one left there quite the same as when the morning began. Personally, I will carry the smiles, giggles, warmth and happiness of that day with me the rest of my life.
What I would like to say to all who read this is that, the Teddy Bear Fund could not do these days if it were not for the support and generosity of so many fine people who keep us in business. This has been written as just one example of where your money goes when you donate to the Teddy Bear Fund.
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The Teddy Bear Fund Joins Walk
For the second consecutive year, we sent a contingent of members and friends to join hundreds of others in the "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" walk. On the morning of October 14, we gathered at Memorial Park, donned our blue and pink sweatshirts and mingled with the huge crowd awaiting the start of the five mile walk. For many of us, the event held strong personal meaning having dealt with this dreadful illness ourselves, or having both victims and/or survivors as family members or friends. The day was beautiful and the turnout was overwhelming.
We are proud to say that this year "Team Teddy Bear" consisted of twenty two members and raised over $1,000.00, far surpassing our stated goal! Although the walk itself precipitated many sore legs and feet on the following day, the warmth and enthusiasm it generated within us was more than worth every step.
As an organization dealing primarily with children, we see the dire effects cancer can have on an entire family. The treatment is financially devastating, family members are emotionally stretched to the limit, and children are bewildered and often confused as to why their world seems to be falling apart. The Teddy Bear Fund walks for these children. Our hope is that by the time they reach adulthood, research will have discovered a method of cure and prevention so that they will not have to deal with this trauma themselves.
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Party Time With PIH Families!
Saturday, September 15 brought our membership together for one of our favorite events of the year. It was a day we set aside each year to celebrate life with the client families of Partners In Health, one of our associate organizations we have the privilege of working with. Partners In Health works with families who are raising children with chronic health conditions. When the Teddy Bear Fund is asked to offer our support, it is generally to work with the siblings of the ill children by giving them special days of their own.
This party, which will be an annual event is an opportunity to bring the entire families together....ill children, parents and siblings for the sole purpose of having a wonderfully magic day while relaxing and having fun. It is a day to put aside the worries and concerns of the day to day, and listen to the laughter of the children.
This year we decided to give a theme to the event. Realizing that the situations of the families often separated them during the various holidays of the year, our members decided to divide the hall (at Camp Spaulding) into seven separate Holiday seasons: Summer, Valentine's Day, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, Halloween and Birthdays. At each table, crafts and gifts for the kids were provided. Our members helped them create their own masks, decorate Christmas ornaments, make plaster valentines, collect sea shells and simply have a ball! Lunch, a full turkey dinner, was served by the Thanksgiving table and no one left hungry. Balloons and laughter were everywhere. A very special time was provided by one of our youngest members as she taught (or tried to teach ) us all to
River dance.
As the afternoon came to an end, we all hugged our new friends and spoke of future hopes and dreams. The families were thrilled with the good time provided and grateful for the respite. But in all honesty, I must say that we, the members of the Teddy Bear Fund easily benefited at least as much. The bravery of these children, the strength and fortitude of the parents, the understanding and cooperation of the siblings were inspirational beyond words. This day reinvigorated us all and provided that special spark that is needed after a long season of fund raising and hard work, and shifted our gears as we head towards the Holiday Season. I tear up a bit as I think of that day, but they are tears of joy and gratitude that we were afforded the chance to spend a day with these wonderful families. I can't wait until next year's party!
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Third Annual TBF Motorcycle Run
For the third consecutive year, we were blessed with a beautiful day for our Motorcycle Run. Members arrived at the Circle Restaurant about 7:30 AM to set up the tent and tables to display the many wonderful raffle items and to prepare for rider registration. Of course we hurried and took turns slipping into the Restaurant to sample the exceptional breakfast fare that John and Sue Cronin and their staff serve up. Soon, the bikers began to arrive, registered, and headed in for breakfast themselves.
At roughly 10:30, Wayne Blais, Road Captain of the Manchester Motorcycle Club, gathered the troops and headed out on their circuit of Merrimack County. Avoiding the highways and staying to a beautiful scenic route the group enjoyed a leisurely ride and reached the half-way stop at the Inn at Danbury, a wonderful Inn and Bistro rich in German atmosphere and cuisine and partook of a delicious lunch of bratwurst, knockwurst and other delicious items. Riders could also purchase raffle tickets for a $150.00 gift certificate towards a stay at the Inn, graciously donated by the fine owners. Then it was on the road again and back to the Circle.
Having started gathering the raffle items months in advance, the array was amazing and tickets sold rapidly! The generosity of the riders was and is very much appreciated. There were so many items that almost everyone went away a winner, especially the kids who will benefit from this event.
This event could not have happened were it not for our amazing co-sponsors The Circle Restaurant in Epsom, and the Inn at Danbury in Danbury. They are so generous and helpful and we can't thank them enough. Special thanks go out to the members of the Manchester Motorcycle Club who provided the most riders and to all others who attended. We would also give thanks to the many businesses who donated raffle prizes.
All money earned at this event, $1250.00 goes directly to fill the needs of the children of underprivileged families and the timing couldn't be better. It's "back to school clothing" season and the requests are pouring in. Thanks to all who participated in this event, we will be able to answer the call.
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Back To School Clothing
For many families, heading back to school in the Fall is an exciting time of preparation - shopping for a new wardrobe, buying new shoes and sneakers and filling in those lists of school supplies needed for the coming year. Unfortunately, this is not the case for many families who find themselves in extreme financial distress. Where the priorities are keeping a shelter over your head and food on the table, new clothing takes a back seat. The Teddy Bear Fund has been privileged to be able to assist many of these children this year. Through the generosity of all who participated in our fund raisers throughout the year, and because of personal and business donations to our cause, we have fulfilled every request presented to us this Fall.
Thus far, we have provided new pants, shirts, skirts, underclothing, sneakers, shoes, blouses and skirts for over 100 children, doubling what we were able to do in 2006! These request have come from many of our sources and fellow organizations including The N.H. Department of Health and Human Services, Partners In Health, The Coalition Against Domestic and Family Violence, and others, as well as from individuals who have been privately referred to us.
We are proud to provide this service and I would like to personally thank those members of our staff who spent the many long hours of shopping for and delivering the items. We are now preparing for what we call "jacket season".
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Teddy Bear Fund Provides Hats For Chad
For those of you who have gone through the heartbreaking experience of having or knowing a child afflicted with cancer, you will understand when I say that these are amongst the most courageous and strong willed kids I have ever met. They face their surgeries and chemotherapy sessions with a bravery and understanding I'm not sure I could muster. The complaints seem so minimal. Their appreciation of the little joys in life seem so great. They are a wonder and a blessing!
One thing, however , seems to really bug them and that is the loss of their hair. Therefore, the Teddy Bear Fund has been bringing ball caps and knitted hats to these kids since our first year of existence. Twice a year we take a ride up to CHAD (Children's Hospital At Dartmouth) and visit with the children. Each child selects his/her own hat to keep and wear. The nurses and doctors there are great about this. They sometimes even let them wear the hats on the way to surgery!
This year, working with our friend Mary at "Time 4 Change" Embroidery, we were able to bring them 100 ball caps as well as many knitted wool hats, knitted by some friends of ours. As long as the Teddy Bear Fund is in existence this tradition will continue.
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Yard Sale - 2007
This year's Annual Yard Sale was the best yet! We really outdid ourselves. For the third year in a row, the weather was beautiful (What's up with that, huh?) and the buyers came early and often. The variety and number of items gathered for the sale presented pretty much something for everyone. The event, as always was held at the home of Carol and Thurston Hodgedon of Bow to whom we are most grateful.
Not only were the sales booming but many donations were thankfully accepted. Antiques, glassware and toys were the hottest items and dickering with the customers was as much fun as always. Carol kept the coffee coming for those of us who worked early and we really enjoyed ourselves. All of the items were donated so every penny went to the many children served by the Teddy Bear Fund. Our thanks go out to the many buyers and donors as we sold for over $1000.00! We look forward to seeing you all again next year.
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