Last week I declared September to be National Teddy Bear Month. This week, to keep Teddy’s spirit alive, I want to tell you about an organization that is near and dear to my heart. It’s called the Mother Bear Project.

Founded in 2003 by Amy Berman, the Mother Bear Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing comfort and hope to children, primarily those affected by HIV/AIDS in emerging nations, by giving them a gift of love in the form of hand-knit or crocheted bears.

The simple gift of a hand-knit bear with a tag signed by the knitter has touched children who have nearly nothing in the world with the message that they are loved by someone halfway around the world.

To give you an example of how much these bears mean to the kids who receive them, here is a note from a Teacher in South Africa to Mother Bear:

One little boy risked his life to rescue his bear.  He told his sister, ‘I have to get my bear.  The heart on it means someone loves me.’ 

Their house was destroyed minutes later by torrential rains.

How You Can Help:

Knit a Bear: 
All bears are made from the same knit or crochet pattern. They are made from a World War II-era pattern that was chosen because the bears are lightweight and easy to send.

Each pattern will include a tag for you to sign your first name and attach to your bear’s wrist before sending it back.

Mother Bear will sew a red felt heart on your bear and ship it to one of our partners for distribution to the children.

Sponsor a Bear: 
Bear sponsorships are available for $10 per bear. Sponsorships allow you to send a bear to Africa even if you don’t knit and are a wonderful way to honor a friend or loved one. The bear’s tag will carry the name of your choice.

In addition, Mother Bear Project will send an acknowledgement to you or your honored recipient to let them know a bear has been sent in their name.

Other Ways to Help: Make donations, donate items needed, or volunteer.

To learn more about the Mother Bear Project, visit their website at www.MotherBearProject.org.

To learn more about Amy Berman and how the Mother Bear Project got its start, CLICK HERE to read an interview with the Huffington Post.

Though I’m presently busy with a full-time job, raising my family and writing novels, I do plan to take up knitting (or crocheting) when I retire just for the purpose of making bears for Mother Bear Project.

In the meantime, to show my passion for Teddy Bears and to support this organization, for everyone who reads this blog and makes a bear for the Mother Bear Project, I will gift you a copy of my new release (Kindle version only), THE MANY LIVES OF JUNE CRANDALL. For each book gifted, I will make a financial donation to the Mother Bear Project. Simply email me at: Suzanne@suzannevince.com, attach a photo of yourself with your bear, and provide me a valid email address.

What about you? Do you have a cause? What motivates you to help make the world a better place?