Bears Who Care About PD

What comes to mind when you think of ‘Care Bear’?

A warm, cuddly, snuggly, cutie of a stuffed animal may be a distant relative of the ‘Teddy Bear’ — icon on the national scene for generations — but he is at the same time very different from his cuddly cousin.

The message of the ‘Care Bear’ is deeper than a snuggly, warm something-to-hold-on-to. His message is that we are all a lot better off if we help one another and treat each other as we would like to be treated. This message of caring and helping goes hand in hand with the term we give to those of us who care for, love, and help others who are in need of assistance. Caregivers are the backbone and mainstay of people with Parkinson’s as well as many others afflicted with similar neurologic, degenerative, or chronic illnesses.

The Foundation receives ideas from well-intentioned and passionate people who come up with ways to help out in any way possible to raise funds to support research into the cause and cure of Parkinson’s. We have recently received a couple of ‘bear-type’ ideas which can be put to good use — for example, as gifts or for fundraising events — and are not too expensive.

The organization behind one of these bears is “H.O.P.E. — Helping of People Everywhere” located at 17126 East Nassau Place, Aurora, CO 80013. Ms. Kathleen Rector (Knrector@home.com) tells us of “Grace” — the Parkinson’s Disease Bear. Named “Grace” because ‘she’ represents the loss of ‘grace in motion’ that many PWPs experience, was created, according to the story that accompanies her, to “honor and remember those touched by Parkinson’s disease”. You may purchase these bears wholesale (minimum order: 1 case – 48 bears) and then either sell them at a fundraiser to support your cause or give them away as “thank-you” tokens to those who have helped you in some special way. The retail price for quantities of 1 to 47 is $16.99 including shipping & handling. Kathleen gives her toll free number 1-877-887-4673. Faxes are also accepted at 303-680-1398.

We note that Grace’s storybook doesn’t mention the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation (www.pdf.org) but we will overlook that at this time. The message is good and the cause most important. Keep on caring!

Another organization that has sent us similar information is The Charity Bear Company of Saegertown, PA. Kathy and Jill Hasenkopf, mother and daughter, create bears for a variety of “cares.” You may contact them at 1-866-763-2327. Faxes are received at 1-814-763-6214. Their website is www.charitybear.com and they offer purchases at retail as well as wholesale prices. Wholesale prices (beginning with orders of 12 or more) range from $4 to $10, depending on the number ordered. They retail (1–11 bears) at $10 each. They also offer special deals to organizations. (Contact them directly for this opportunity). By the way, the Parkinson Bear is coming soon — be sure to ask them about it!

Similar to the thoughtfulness and actions of some heroes and angels whose stories have been related in recent newsletters, we found that this little ‘inanimate’ cuddly brings out the best in us and reminds us all that we do care. If you have a cute or cuddly fundraising or gift item to suggest, let us know!

by Sharon Stone

Note: Prices may well change without advance notice to us so please do contact these organizations yourself to check on such specifics. Enjoy!