Everything Under The Sun: Teddy Bears Of Hope

Saturday, December 3, 2016

Teddy Bears Of Hope

Both Nicole and Cubs For Coping have come a long way since that hospitalization.

At the age of 14, Nicole Javorsky found herself hospitalized due to anorexia. It was a tough and lonely experience, but her friends and family found a way to boost her spirit - with stuffed animals. Once she was discharged, she realized how helpful these tokens of support were, so she went on to found CUBS FOR COPING, an organization in which people come together to make stuffed animals for those in a hospital, or other institution, in need of a stuffed friend to hold.

Here's Nicole inspiration, "I am passionate about Cubs For Coping because not everyone has friends and family who bring them stuffed animals when they are going through a tough time." The organization is responsible for organizing the stuffed animal making sessions, which allow the participants to personalize their own designs, making each teddy bear unique.

Some of the places where this organization has donated their stuffed creations include Bowery Mission Homeless Shelter, Cohen Children's Medical Center, Winthrop University Hospital, Women in Need Inc. Homeless Shelter, The Renfrew Center, and AIDS Service Center NYC. Many of their clients have really looked forward to receiving these gifts, which are seen as a sign that those in the community care about them.

Currently, Cubs For Coping is engaged in a FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN through Generosity by Indiegogo. The objective is to raise $500 for two different purposes. The first is to provide funds to hold onsite events at homeless shelters. Cubs For Coping would provide all the supplies, while volunteers help and assist clients from the shelter to design and make their own stuffed bears. The second is to help fulfill the many requests by those who have eating disorders for a handmade bear. Many have identified with Nicole's experiences and are wanting the support of their own stuffed bears.

Students at Barnard College make stuffed teddy bears.

There are perks for donors listed on Cubs For Coping's Generosity page. For a $10 donation, you can receive a black and white drawn coloring page designed by Nicole; the $20 donor can receive a Happiness t-shirt with the coloring page; at the $50 level, the donor receives the previous two gifts plus a piece of art customized to your specifications; a $75 donor can receive all of the previous plus a small handmade teddy bear; and the $100 donor can receive all of the previous plus a large handmade teddy bear.