Who is "The Bear Team" and How Can You Help a Sick Kiddo?

Some of The Bear Team: left to right: Deb Allen, Betty Lauger, Nancy Warren, Glenda Stowel

One of the joys I experienced this year while at the Town of New Haven’s weekly Farmer’s Market was the many people I met. There were a couple that remained the same, Deb Abbott and another family both came with their produce and then little old me with my books. During the season, Deb Allen, the town’s clerk, invited various vendors to “visit” for a week to increase traffic for her regulars and to build our small farmer’s market into one similar to neighboring towns. I’m thankful for the books I sold yet my greatest blessing was the people I met.

Today I want to introduce you to a few. This group of women gathers monthly, if not more often as the holiday’s approach. Let me tell you why. The Bear Team was established by Glenda Stowel and works primarily out of the Pulaski, New York area, but regardless of where you are, there is a way you can help.

The women shown in today’s blog are only a few of the fingers and hearts responsible for this great mission. What is the mission? I thought you would never ask.

This is the mission and how you can help. This group can’t do it alone, they need us to partner with them. Yes, WE can help make a difference in the lives of children (and their families) who are living with one of life’s greatest sorrows – childhood illness. Golasano hospital, services hundreds, if not thousands of children suffering with illness, some of which are life threatening. These kiddos spend countless hours, days, weeks, and often months at the hospital. What brings them joy? What relieves some of the pain and sadness? What brings a smile to their face or renews their hope? What provides an opportunity to give the gift of laughter and true happiness to the hearts of the parents watching their child fight for their life?

 I know there are many answers to this question, with the most important and obvious being the love, healing, and provision of God in their lives. The more I thought about having a sick child and the pain a parent can go through watching helplessley, the more I saw God working through these precious women to bring a bounty of blessings to the children and their families throughout the year, and especially during the holidays. 

What exactly do they do? To their neighbors it might appear it is a “girls night out” because of the excitement and giggles they witness as each arrives with their bags of goodies to make bear clothes, gifts, cards, and so much more to bless some of the sick kiddos spending too much time for any one person at the local children’s hospital. In addition to using their talents motivated by love, compassion, and hope – they also partner with Build-A-Bear. How cool is this? I was overwhelmed with their love and the pure joy as they talked about this amazing mission.

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Like their Facebook Page to keep up with deliveries, needs, and upcoming locations to drop off items - https://www.facebook.com/TheBearTeam2
Click on pictures above for direct link.

So how can you help? 
Maybe you have money you could donate to offset this organization’s cost?

In addition to helping out at the Children's Hospital, they also partner with the Oswego Hospital to provide for women and children in need. Two ways to partner.

Do you feel called to help but not sure how you, your time, talents, or money could best be utilized? Specifically need sewers to help make the scrubs for the bears to wear this holiday season, they delivered 50 bears in September and there is still many more to finish.

If you answered yes to any of these questions then contact Glenda at (315) 298-5308 or at thebearteam2@yahoo.com for more information. Each dollar, donation, and prayer means so much to the children receiving the bears and clothing ~ Is God calling you to help? 
 
Thank you in advance for using some of your blessings to encourage, uplift, and share hope with families living what can be a nightmare at times…a sick kid. Thanks again…

Prayers for the kiddos & family receiving some love and hope from The Bear Team...May complete healing and joy be the greatest gift!

"Our goal  let no child be left out so one bear at a time " the bear team" does make a difference . Thank you everyone for your help and support."
The Bear Team